Deputy PM Dam said that measures will be taken this year to prevent the smuggling of drugs, eliminate drug hot spots, and increase legal assistance for drug addicts. 

The year 2015 marked the first year in over 20 years that the number of drug addicts in Vietnam reduced by more than 4,000 from a year earlier. As of January 2016, roughly 200,000 drug addicts were reported in the country, he noted. He also called for UN assistance for Vietnam’s drug prevention and control. 

Jagjit Pavadia told her host that the board and the UN will pool different resources to help Vietnam through communications campaigns, policy consultancy, and improving the legal system.