Hanoi (VNA) – Prime MinisterPham Minh Chinh emphasised the spirit of preventing drug crimes early, fromafar, and from their sources, while addressing a programme held in Hanoi on June14.

The event, organised by the Ministryof Public Security and the Vietnam Television, honoured the role models in the drugcrime combat and respond to the Action Month for Drug Prevention and Control inJune.

The Government leader expressed hisgratitude to the officers who have made tireless efforts, surmounteddifficulties, and braved dangers to fight against drug crimes, including thoselaying down their lives or getting injured in the fight. Many of them havebeen granted noble awards by the Party and State, including the 140 rolemodels commended at the programme.

Stressing the must for taking drug crimes as an enemy of development and acommon enemy of all, he said that to enhance drug prevention and control, directleadership from all-level Party committees, consistent management fromall-level administrations, and active engagement by the entire political systemand all people, with the public security force being the core, are required.

He asked ministries, centralagencies, and localities to boost leadership over the fight, promote theirleaders’ role and sense of responsibility towards the task, continueoverhauling legal documents to provide a complete and all-round legal basis fordrug prevention and control, and commend well-performing collectives andindividuals in a timely manner.

PM Chinh pointed out the need to boostcommunications and education about the harm of drugs in the community,especially among the youth and students; ramp up the crackdown on hotspots andtrans-provincial and transnational trafficking rings, particularly along landborder, at sea and border gates, by air, and via postal services, in the spiritof preventing drug crimes early, from afar, and from their sources; have a goodgrasp of the drug crime and addict situation to apply suitable rehabilitationmeasures; and upgrade infrastructure and improve the quality of rehabilitationactivities and post-rehabilitation management.

He also underscored the importance of families’ attention to and care for theirchildren so as to protect them from drugs.

The PM expressed his belief that with the entire country’s strong efforts anddetermination and the international community’s close cooperation and effectiveassistance, the scourge of drugs will be eradicated and a drug-free community a reality in the near future.

Addressing the programme, DeputyMinister of Public Security Lt. Gen. Nguyen Duy Ngoc highlighted the successesin the drug crime combat and attributed those achievements to the enormous andunsung contributions by anti-drug forces, ministries, sectors, localities, andthe public, especially officers of the public security, army, and customsforces.

He said the 139 outstanding collections and individuals honoured at theprogramme represent thousands of those nationwide joining hands in the fight. Thiswas also an occasion to show the Party, State, and Government’s recognition oftheir attainments and offer encouragement to have more exemplars.

On behalf of Party and State leaders,PM Chinh presented the State President’s decision to bestow the title of “Heroof the People’s Armed Forces” upon the offices of police for drug crime investigationat the departments of public security of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Lang Sonprovince.

PM Chinh and Minister of PublicSecurity Gen. To Lam presented rewards to 75 exemplars representing the 139role models in the drug fight./.