10,300 drug - related offences in 2000
Ha Noi, Jan. 17 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's authorised forces detected as many as 10,300 drug-related offences last year, arresting 19,500 offenders, according to the Anti-drug Office.
They seized 60 kgs of heroin, more than 560 kgs of opium, 2,200 kgs of marijuana and 119,460 ampoules of addictive drugs.
The Anti-drug Office said that the fight against drug-related criminals proved to be very complicated with drug traffickers using new forms of trafficking.
Of the reported 101,000 drug users, which was 3,000 less than 1999, 1,200 were students and pupils or a decrease of 46 percent. Many of these are being treated at 750 drug detoxification centres that have been upgraded nationwide.
The drive to persuade people to replace the opium poppy with other crops has obtained initial results, helping improve the local people's living conditions. Some 40 percent of the households in the former-poppy-growing areas are now leading a better and more stable life.
In response to the world's drug-control efforts, Viet Nam is cooperating with the United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) and the drug control agencies of neighbouring countries to exchange information and experience so as to effectively prevent cross-border drugs trafficking.--VNA
