Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham MinhChinh on November 22 asked public security forces in general and those incharge of fighting drug crimes in particular to work harder in the combat inorder to prevent Vietnam from being turned into an international drug entrepot.

The leader made the request at a conference held inHanoi by the Ministry of Public Security to review major drug cases, and honourindividuals and collectives that have made outstanding performance in the work.

Located near the Golden Triangle - the world's drugproduction centre, and with long land and sea border lines, Vietnam can easily be turned into an international drug entrepot, he pointed out.

The intensive and extensive integration has alsofacilitated the sophisticated, complex and unpredictable operations of drugrings, the PM continued.

Chinh emphasised the need to step up thecommunication work, especially among youths, about the risks of taking drugs, promotegood models in the fight, and integrate drug prevention and control into programmeson anti-crime and socio-economic development in localities, especially remoteand ethnic minority-inhabited areas.  

The drug crime investigation police should play thekey role in the combat, he said, asking them to coordinate with ministries,agencies and localities to tighten their management and control of drugpre-substances, addictive drugs, psychotropic drugs and veterinary drugs containingnarcotics to prevent domestic methamphetamine production, he said.

The leader expressed his belief that the forces willcarry forward their traditions in the fight, contributing to ensuring security,safety and a peaceful and happy life for people.

According to a report presented at the conference,in the first 10 months of this year, the drug crime investigation policenationwide detected nearly 20,000 cases and arrested some 30,000 people, alongwith 677kg of heroin and 4.6 tonnes of meth./.