Strive to increase drug-free areas

Lieutenant Colonel Vu Huy Binh, Head of the Drug Prevention and Investigation Team (Drug Crime Investigation Department, Provincial Police) said: Implementing Directive 32-CT/TU dated May 5, 2023 of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee on strengthening and improving the effectiveness of drug prevention, control and combat in the new situation and Plan 50/KH-UBND dated February 20, 2024 of the Provincial People's Committee on building "Drug-free communes and wards", Quang Ninh set a target for the 2024-2025 period to build 105 drug-free communes, wards and towns and 4 districts to achieve "Drug-free districts" (Binh Lieu, Dam Ha, Ba Che, Co To). In 2024, 78 drug-free communes, wards and towns and 3 drug-free districts were built; in 2025, new areas will continue to be expanded and added. From July 1, 2025, the implementation will face difficulties due to the implementation of the 2-level government model, but the Provincial Police still strive to achieve 25% of "drug-free" commune-level areas by the end of 2025 and at least 50% by 2030.

Quang Duc Commune Police met with Mr. Ly Nhat Tong, a prestigious person in Chan Mui village, to grasp the situation, orient public opinion and propagate laws on security and order.

To properly implement the roadmap, all levels, sectors, units and localities have resolutely deployed drug prevention and control work. Provincial and local police have strengthened inspection, grasped the situation, applied preventive measures, and fought against drug crimes and evils; at the same time coordinated propaganda and legal education through media, social networks, cultural and sports activities, schools and club activities, self-management groups; mobilized people to sign commitments not to participate in or assist drug crimes and evils and cooperate with the authorities.

Typically, in 2024, Quang Duc and Quang Thinh communes (Hai Ha district) were recognized as drug-free communes. After July 1, 2025, Quang Duc, Quang Thinh and Quang Thanh communes merged to take the name Quang Duc commune. After the administrative merger, Quang Duc commune became a large, densely populated area with many ethnic groups, including many Dao, Tay, Hoa... people, bordering China, with Bac Phong Sinh border gate and major national highways passing through, so cleaning up drugs encountered many difficulties. Under those conditions, Quang Duc commune police proactively deployed many solutions to prevent and combat drug abuse, in which special importance was attached to promoting the role of prestigious people among ethnic minorities to propagate, mobilize, provide information and orient public opinion in mobilizing people not to use or illegally trade in drugs. Through that, prestigious people have become the "eyes and ears" of the police force in managing the area and maintaining security and order.

Quang Ha commune police went to people's houses to propagate and ask them to sign a commitment not to use, store, or trade drugs.

Along with Quang Duc commune, Quang Ha commune is the former socio-economic center of Hai Ha district, so although the security and order situation and drug crimes have been controlled, they still have great potential. To strive for a drug-free area, Quang Ha commune police are stepping up propaganda work on the harmful effects of drugs to the people, to proactively stay away from drug abuse. At the same time, focusing on checking to ensure that there are no drug hotspots, points, gangs, or drug lines in the area; not allowing drug crimes to occur caused by people residing (permanent or temporary) in the area. Illegal drug users and post-addicts must have their records created, be closely monitored, periodically and suddenly tested for drugs in their bodies according to regulations. In addition, representatives of households in the area sign a commitment not to violate drug laws and voluntarily cooperate with functional forces in drug prevention and control work...

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Manh Hung, Head of Quang Ha Commune Police, said: From the beginning of 2025 until now, the Commune Police have conducted 5 propaganda sessions for more than 1,000 people in direct form; propaganda on loudspeakers 253 times at cultural houses in villages and neighborhoods. More than 2,000 households signed a commitment not to use, store, or trade drugs. Arrested 6 cases, 17 subjects for the crimes of illegal drug trafficking, organizing illegal drug use. Arrested 3 subjects for compulsory drug rehabilitation, 1 subject for voluntary drug rehabilitation.

Quang Ninh Provincial Police prosecuted 3 subjects Duong Hoang Long (Cam Pha Ward), Nguyen Sy Quyen Duong and Nguyen Thanh The (Quang Hanh Ward) for the act of "Illegal trading of narcotics" (August 5, 2025). *Photo by Van Anh (Cam Pha Ward Police)*

With a proactive, resolute and effective spirit in carrying out tasks, the Provincial Police have successfully fought many large and complicated cases, eradicated inter-provincial and transnational drug trafficking and transportation rings, and arrested even the leaders and sophisticated organizers. In the first 6 months of 2025, the Drug Crime Investigation Police force of the whole province coordinated with functional forces to detect, arrest and handle 390 cases with 943 related subjects; of which, 385 cases and 777 subjects were criminally prosecuted.

Since the implementation of directives and plans on building "Drug-free communes and wards", drug prevention and control work in Quang Ninh has had positive changes, both in people's awareness and the responsibility of families, agencies and organizations. Striving to have at least 50% of communes achieve "drug-free" status by 2030, of which 25% will be achieved by the end of 2025. Party committees and authorities from the province to the grassroots level need to continue to strengthen the fight, promote propaganda, legal education and replicate models and movements for drug prevention and control across the province.

Ngoc Tram

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/phan-dau-tang-dia-ban-khong-co-ma-tuy-3371230.html