Hanoi (VNA) – A seminar was held in Hanoi on October 29 to discuss anawareness campaign on the dangers of drug abuse under the Drug Prevention andControl Programme till 2020.

Co-organisedby the Ministry of Information and Communications’ Press Authority, thegovernment e-portal and the Vietnam National University Hanoi’s School ofSocial Sciences and Humanity, the event aimed to share experience in raisingpublic awareness of drug abuse prevention based on scientific evidence.

DeputyMinister of Information and Communications Hoang Vinh Bao suggested that socialresources should be pooled in communications efforts, while ministries,agencies, and localities should work closely together to create jobs for formerdrug users, especially those reintegrating into society after rehabilitation.

Unitsconcerned should adopt IT application in awareness campaigns and prevent thespread of drug use popularity on social media platforms, he said.

Accordingto the National Committee on AIDS, Drugs, and Prostitution Prevention andControl, the number of articles, photos, and documentaries about the fightagainst HIV/AIDS, drugs, and prostitution has increased by 10-15 percent from2014-2017. The awareness campaign has spread nationwide, especially in particularhotspots.

DeputyGeneral Director of the Government e-portal Le Viet Dong stressed the need toimprove the campaign’s impact on and relevance to young people, especiallytargeting social media.

Nguyen CaoDuc from the Government Office’s Department of Science and Education urgedrelevant units to increase coverage on drug prevention, offerinternational-standard training, and adopt international experience in thefield.–VNA