Record number of drug addicts in concentrated rehabilitation centers in Ho Chi Minh City, forecast to increase

The report on activities in the first 5 months of 2024 of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City recorded a record number of drug addicts undergoing rehabilitation at the city's centers: 14,344 people.

Of which, the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City manages 7,756 people, the Youth Volunteer Force manages 6,375 people, and private drug rehabilitation facilities manage 213 people.

Doctor examines drug addicts at Thanh Da Drug Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (Illustration: Nam Thai).

In the first quarter of 2024, the total number of drug addicts was 13,347, an increase of 84.2% over the same period in 2023. At that time, the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City had made provisions in case drug rehabilitation facilities were overloaded.

Previously, at the end of 2023, the number of drug addicts undergoing rehabilitation at the city's rehabilitation facilities was only 11,510 people, an increase of 70.29% over the same period in 2022.

The number of drug addicts being treated at rehabilitation facilities in Ho Chi Minh City has increased rapidly since 2022, when the city resolutely implemented the work of sending drug addicts to rehabilitation facilities, not allowing them to be treated at home and in the community as prescribed in Decree No. 116/2021/ND-CP.

The rapid increase in the number of drug addicts puts great pressure on the city's drug rehabilitation system. The facilities must increase staff and working hours to ensure security and order, prevent fires and explosions at the facility, and prevent the smuggling of prohibited substances and objects into the facility.

During the May reporting period, the city's drug rehabilitation facilities promptly detected, prevented and handled 1 case of 1 student self-harming, 33 cases of 50 students fighting, 10 cases of 10 students not complying with the management staff's orders...

At the first quarter review conference of 2024, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Bac, Director of Bo La Drug Rehabilitation Center, mentioned the risk of overload when the number of drug addicts is increasing rapidly, reaching the facility's reception threshold.

Bo La facility had to mobilize all human resources to make every effort to ensure student management and ensure security and order at the facility.

Mr. Le Van Thinh, Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City, said this is a common situation faced by many drug rehabilitation facilities in the city, not just facilities managed by the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

In the coming time, the city will continue to strengthen verification and send drug addicts to centralized rehabilitation centers to ensure security and order in the locality. Therefore, it is predicted that the number of people undergoing centralized rehabilitation will increase.

Currently, drug rehabilitation facilities are reviewing their facilities, budget estimates, and staff numbers to meet the upcoming increase in students.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/an-sinh/ky-luc-so-nguoi-cai-nghien-tap-trung-tai-tphcm-du-bao-con-tang-20240610143532791.htm