The meeting took place on the occasion of the delegates attending the Program to Honor Advanced Models organized by the Ministry of Public Security and responding to the Month of Action for Drug Prevention and Control (June 2023). This is also an opportunity to commend, reward, and honor collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements and pay tribute to those who have sacrificed on the drug prevention and control front.

According to the report of the Ministry of Public Security, on average each year, the Drug Crime Investigation Police Force - Ministry of Public Security has coordinated with the Border Guard, Customs, and Coast Guard to successfully detect and solve more than 23,000 cases, arrest more than 32,000 drug criminals; eradicate nearly 1,000 complex drug locations and hotspots. Transform and build hundreds of drug-free areas. Seize large quantities of drugs, weapons, vehicles, and assets related to criminal activities, including many particularly large transnational projects, seize large quantities of drugs of all kinds, reduce the supply of drugs to society; and at the same time, seize thousands of billions of VND to the State budget.

However, along with the feats and outstanding achievements, there are losses and sacrifices of the anti-drug forces that cannot be compensated. In that fierce war, 28 police officers, border guards and the masses heroically sacrificed their lives, more than 700 officers and soldiers were injured and exposed to HIV while performing their duties in the fight against drug crimes, protecting the peaceful lives and happiness of the people.

President Vo Van Thuong with delegates attending the meeting. Photo: VNA

Speaking at the meeting, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, President Vo Van Thuong cordially sent his warm regards and best wishes to the leaders of agencies, cadres, soldiers, civil servants, public employees, and staff of forces performing drug prevention and control tasks nationwide.

The President stated that drugs are the cause and condition for the emergence of social evils, and drug crimes are dangerous, sophisticated and aggressive, with many methods of dealing with the authorities. With the highest political determination, the anti-drug forces, led by the People's Public Security Forces, and directly by the Drug Crime Investigation Police Force, have been resolute, proactive and at the forefront of these fierce and arduous battles.

The President highly appreciated the efforts of the forces in the recent past in overcoming difficulties and hardships to implement many programs and plans, launching many high-point campaigns to attack and suppress drug crimes; upholding the spirit, determination, selflessness for the country, serving the people. Those silent efforts have been recognized and respected by the Party, the State and the people, and highly appreciated by domestic and international public opinion.

Sharing the losses and sacrifices of the forces and people in the fierce fight against drug crimes, the President emphasized that the Fatherland will forever honor the heroes and martyrs who have heroically sacrificed their lives on the front line of fighting against crime in general and drug crimes in particular.

Praising the efforts, achievements and special achievements that the forces have achieved in the past time, especially the 140 typical advanced collectives and individuals, and the masses at the meeting, the President said that these are shining examples, core elements contributing to making the work of preventing and combating drugs more and more effective.

Referring to the difficulties and complexities of the crime and drug situation in the region and the world in the coming time, posing many challenges, the President emphasized: We identify this struggle as an important, difficult and complicated task, both urgent and regular, long-term, requiring perseverance, persistence and determination.

The President affirmed that our Party and State have a consistent viewpoint: Zero tolerance for drug crimes and evils. Therefore, in the coming time, ministries, departments and sectors need to do a better job of grasping and forecasting the situation of drug crime prevention and control, promptly advising the Party, the National Assembly and the Government to issue appropriate leadership and direction documents on drug prevention and control in each period.

Along with that, it is necessary to mobilize the combined strength of the entire political system and all classes of people, proactively preventing early and from afar drug crimes operating on multiple routes, inter-provincial, transnational lines, especially in border areas, border gates and at sea. Improve the effectiveness of coordination between domestic and international forces, not allowing our country to be exploited by criminals to become a transit area for drugs in the world.

In particular, it is necessary to focus on building an increasingly strong, disciplined, elite, politically steadfast, resilient, pure and intelligent, resolute, clever, "forgetting oneself for the country, serving the people", not succumbing to temptations and challenges, not being passive or surprised in any situation; limiting and minimizing casualties. The President also noted the need to improve skills, update modern technology and techniques, effectively carry out professional work, especially new types of drugs that are processed and concealed in a sophisticated manner.

The President believes that in the coming time, officers and soldiers will continue to promote the fine traditions of the People's Public Security force, be dedicated and responsible for their duties, contribute to protecting national security, ensuring social order and safety, for the peaceful life of the people; create a solid and stable foundation for the country to continue to innovate, integrate and develop, and build a prosperous and happy society.

The President also hopes that more and more people will responsibly participate in coordinating with the authorities, joining hands "for a drug-free society", giving children who have made mistakes a chance to integrate into the community.

VNA