VietNamNet Bridge – A pilot project on post-detoxification vocational training and job generation in seven provinces and cities has helped sharply reduce the number of new drug users and criminals as well, reported the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA).

MOLISA Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan told the National Assembly Standing Committee at a meeting on April 21 that dozens of thousands of drug users in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and the southern provinces of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Quang Ninh, Long An and Binh Duong, have managed to improve their educational levels thanks to the project.

She attributed the achievements to the execution of a NA scheme on the issue, called Resolution 16.

The project is considered to have contributed to lowering the city crime rate to 9,000 cases in 2006 from 16,000 cases in 2001. In addition, the number of new drug users now stands at just hundreds and HIV carriers make up just 45 percent of those at high risk in 2006 compared to 66 percent in 2001.

The project results will be used by the NA Standing Committee to support a proposal for legalising the management, vocational training and job generation for detoxified drug users.

Senior legislators have agreed to propose to the National Assembly at the upcoming plenary session to grant a mandate for provinces and cities to continue with efforts on managing drug users until the (revised) law on drug control comes into effect.

NA Resolution 16 on the issue will be expired on August 1.

(Source: VNA)