Latest professional procedures for identifying narcotic addiction in Vietnam

Latest professional procedures for identifying narcotic addiction in Vietnam (Internet image)

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

1. Professional procedures for identifying narcotic addiction in Vietnam

Pursuant to Article 4 of Circular 18/2021/TT-BYT, professional procedures for identifying narcotic addiction are as follows:

- Step 1: Receiving an individual whose narcotic addiction is to be identified and collecting relevant information of the individual.

- Step 2: Examining, monitoring clinically, and recording information on medical record and Checklist for general narcotic addiction under Annex No. 3 attached to Circular 18/2021/TT-BYT.

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- Step 3: Writing conclusion

+ In case the individual only meets 1 criterion for narcotic addition or 2 criteria for narcotic addiction with one of them being criterion 6, write “không nghiện ma túy” (not addicted to narcotics) in the Checklist for narcotic addiction and promptly issue narcotic addiction results in accordance with Article 5 of hereof.

+ In case the in8dividual meets at least 3 criteria for narcotic addiction, write “có nghiện ma túy” (addicted to narcotics) in the Checklist for narcotic addiction and promptly issue narcotic addiction results in accordance with Article 5 of Circular 18/2021/TT-BYT.

+ In case the individual meets 2 criteria for narcotic addiction with none of them being criterion 6 or exhibits unclear signs of narcotic addiction, conform to step 4 under Clause 4 of Article 4 of Circular 18/2021/TT-BYT.

- Step 4:Examining, monitoring clinically, and recording information, conclusion in medical record and Checklists for cases under Point c Clause 3 of Article 4 of Circular 18/2021/TT-BYT:

+ Advise and immediately examine, monitor clinically in order to identify narcotic addiction;

+ Examine and fill in medical record;

+ Monitor and fill in the Checklist for narcotic addiction and Checklists for withdrawal of narcotic substance addiction corresponding to different types of narcotic substances namely:

++ Checklist for withdrawal of opioids under Annex No. 4;

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++ Checklist for withdrawal of stimulants (amphetamine-type stimulants, cocaine, or other stimulants) under Annex No. 5; and Checklist for withdrawal of marijuana under Annex No. 6 attached to Circular 18/2021/TT-BYT;

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+ Write “có trạng thái cai các chất ma túy” (exhibiting withdrawal of narcotic substances) or “không có trạng thái cai các chất ma túy” (not exhibiting withdrawal of narcotic substances) in the Checklist for withdrawal of respective narcotic substances. Conclusions regarding withdrawal of narcotic substances shall be written in the Checklist for general narcotic addiction;

+ Write conclusion regarding narcotic addition in the Checklist for general narcotic addiction and medical record. In case the individual meets at least 3 criteria of narcotic addiction, write “có nghiện ma túy” (addicted to narcotic).

In case the individual fails to meet 3 criteria for narcotic addiction or exhibits unclear signs of narcotic addiction due to time constrain, write “không nghiện ma túy” (not addicted to narcotic). Immediately issue narcotic addiction results in accordance with Article 5 of Circular 18/2021/TT-BYT.

- If an individual whose narcotic addiction is to be identified exhibits withdrawal syndrome, mental disorder and/or associated disorders while being identified for narcotic addiction, the individual shall be examined and treated in accordance with applicable regulations on medical examination and treatment.

2. Regulations on issuance of narcotic addiction results in Vietnam

According to Article 5 of Circular 18/2021/TT-BYT, regulations on issuance of narcotic addiction results are as follows:

- Write the results in Narcotic addiction form depending on conclusion regarding narcotic addiction on the Checklist for general narcotic addiction.

- Narcotic addiction results shall be issued to individuals who voluntarily request narcotic addiction identification or to police authority which request narcotic addiction identification within 5 days from the date on which individuals whose narcotic addiction is to be identified.

Ho Quoc Tuan

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