Lam admitted that though authorities confiscated anunprecedentedly huge volume of drugs, the threat of drug supply from overseas stillexists while domestic demand remains high. Therefore, more drastic actions are neededto control its spread.
He said the Ministry of Public Security worked to preventthe flow of drug through the northwestern provinces last year, mostly DienBien, Hoa Binh and Son La. Later, traffickers moved to central and southernlocalities, in many cases foreigners were involved.
Commenting on challenges in the effort, Lam said as Vietnamlies near the Golden Triangle, one of the world’s most extensive opiumproducing areas, the number of drug criminals and abusers continues increasing,adding that they take advantage of Vietnam’s easy customs clearance at bordergates to smuggle drugs.
According to him, the ministry is drafting amendments to theLaw on Drug Prevention and Control and Article 199 of the Criminal Code to servethe effort.
The minister said the ministry has sent a comprehensive planon fighting organised and trans-national crimes to the Government and workedwith Laos in the process, believing that with high determination of thepolitical system, drug crime will be stamped out and Vietnam will not be turnedinto a drug transit destination.
About sex abuses against women and children, Lam said theprocess of receiving and dealing with such cases has been standardisednationwide. Moreover, active work by competent agencies has strengthened publictrust, leading to the rise of the number of complaints sent in.
Regarding traffic safety violations involving drunk drivingor drug-using drivers that cause serious consequences, he said the ministry isworking to outline legal regulations on traffic safety to submit to thelegislature.
NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan agreed that there is a differencein traffic accident casualties statistics by the Ministry of Public Securityand the Health Ministry, and asked units concerned to acquire suggestions toaddress it.-VNA