Synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine have driven a global surge in drug abuse, and drugs themselves are becoming more potent, a Singaporean official has said.

Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and other international organisations in Vienne, Austria, in conjunction with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), opened a photo exhibition on the fight against drugs on March 3.

Several recent large drug seizures in Ho Chi Minh City have raised concerns over the extent of drug crimes in the southern economic hub, and the local administration is fighting back.

Seven persons died after participating in the Autumn Music Gala at the West Lake Water Park in Hanoi’s Tay Ho district on September 16 night, the city police confirmed on September 17, adding that all of them tested positive for drugs.

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh hosted a reception for officials from Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs led by Permanent Deputy Minister Pang Kin Keong in Hanoi on April 23.

The drugs squad of the northern province of Dien Bien on January 9 reported that they brought to light a large drug trafficking ring involving a Lao national and 21 cakes of heroin (about 7.5kg).

The number of drug and prostitution-free communes, wards and towns have been increased in recent years after the 10-year implementation of the resolution on building localities with healthy lifestyle.

The ASEAN adopted a Work Plan on Securing Communities against Illicit Drugs for the 2016-2025 period during the fifth Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters that concluded in Singapore on October 20.