HCMC: Strengthening the implementation of measures to prevent and combat drug and prostitution issues in the new situation

HCMC: Strengthening the implementation of measures to prevent and combat drug and prostitution issues in the new situation

In order to strengthen the leadership, deployment, and organization of implementing measures to prevent and control drug abuse and prostitution in the new situation, promptly prevent and strictly handle legal violations, and step by step push back drug abuse and prostitution in the City, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the City requires the heads of departments, sectors, the People's Committees of districts, the city of Thu Duc to focus on well implementing a number of tasks and solutions as follows:

(1) Heads of departments, sectors, Chairmen of the People's Committees of districts, the city of Thu Duc, relevant agencies, organizations, and units focus on advising the Party Executive Committee to issue leadership, directives, deployment, and effectively implement the content of Directive 22/CT-TTg dated October 15, 2013, on strengthening the implementation of tasks and solutions to prevent and control prostitution in the current situation; Directive 25/CT-TTg dated June 5, 2017, on strengthening drug abuse prevention and rehabilitation in the new situation issued by the Prime Minister of Vietnam; Decision 1629/QD-TTg dated September 28, 2021, by the Prime Minister of Vietnam approving the program for the prevention and control of prostitution for the period 2021 - 2025; the action program 38-CTr/TU dated June 4, 2020, of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee on the implementation of Directive 36-CT/TW dated August 16, 2019, of the Politburo on strengthening and improving the efficiency of drug prevention, control, and managing drugs in Ho Chi Minh City, closely linking the content of drug prevention programs with the prevention of prostitution and HIV/AIDS with local socio-economic development programs.

(2) Enhance responsibility and efficiency of State management in drug abuse and prostitution prevention; Chairmen of the People's Committees of districts, the city of Thu Duc, wards, communes, commune-level towns should strictly manage the area, preventing the occurrence of drug abuse and prostitution in their respective localities; clearly identify the role and personal responsibility of the head of the Party Executive Committee, government for prolonged drug abuse and prostitution issues in the managed area without thorough measures; simultaneously include the results of drug abuse and prostitution prevention work as one of the criteria for annual evaluation and commendation of agencies and units.

(3) Concentrate on directing good prevention and harm reduction work, identifying this as a strategic and long-term task and solution in drug abuse and prostitution prevention; renovate and enhance the effectiveness of communication, education, and crime prevention regarding drug abuse and prostitution, regularly update and disseminate to the public, especially the youth, to recognize the harm of drugs, especially synthetic drugs, the harm of drug abuse and prostitution; implement educational programs for youth, students, workers, and high-risk groups; continue to build, maintain, and expand advanced models and examples in drug abuse and prostitution prevention in the locality.

(4) Strengthen investigation, inspection, supervision, and strict management of the conditions for establishing and operating businesses and services that are prone to drug abuse and prostitution, according to the law, to prevent, detect, and stop exploiting these activities for organizing drug use and prostitution. Enhance security and order management; organize investigations, uncover crimes, and dismantle criminal organizations related to drugs and prostitution. Improve the effectiveness of inspection and supervision of administrative violations, crimes related to drugs, and prostitution from the grassroots; promptly prosecute crimes related to drugs and prostitution.

(5) Effectively implement drug rehabilitation organization; promote voluntary drug rehabilitation in families and communities and voluntary rehabilitation in drug rehabilitation facilities; strictly manage drug users, drug addicts, and post-rehabilitation individuals at their places of residence.

(6) Continue building and expanding pilot models supporting sex workers, strengthen the participation of peer groups, sex workers' clubs in solving social protection issues; establish a network of facilities providing harm reduction support services; prevent gender-based violence, integrate communities for sex workers to facilitate their behavior change and stabilize life gradually.

(7) Advise, propose, recommend to the Government of Vietnam and central ministries and industries to consider supplementing and adjusting legal regulations on drug abuse and prostitution prevention appropriate to the characteristics of the new stage.