Foreign Minister attends virtual ministerial meeting to address synthetic drug threats

Addressing the event, Bui shared common concerns of international community about synthetic drug threats.

He emphasized the need to promote international cooperation in the spirit of respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs and put in place comprehensive measures and approach to deal with issues related to drug supply and demand.

The Vietnamese diplomat called on international community to strictly implement three treaties on drug control and strengthen the role of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).

He proposed increasing support for development nations to share information and improve capacity, resources and technology, adding that measures to reduce poverty, enhance education and create jobs, particularly for youth, are needed to settle drug-related issues sustainably.

He highlighted efforts of Viet Nam and ASEAN in striving for achieving a "Drug-free ASEAN", asserting to advocate international efforts in creating more motivation and mobilizing more resources for drug prevention and control at national, regional and international levels.

At the event, Ministers affirmed their shared commitment to taking concerted and sustained action at the national, regional, and international levels to effectively respond to emerging drug-related threats in an integrated and balanced manner.

They were committed to sharing technical expertise, best practices, scientific evidence, and other relevant information, as appropriate and in accordance with applicable domestic law.

The event, attracting the participation of leaders from 70 nations, aims to bring together key international actors, governments, intergovernmental organizations, specialized agencies, civil society, and the private sector for concerted action to address the challenges posed by synthetic drugs at the global level.

It takes place in a context where synthetic drugs pose a growing threat to public health, security and stability in many countries around the world, and where the production and trafficking of these chemical substances has increased exponentially, with harmful consequences for society, including problems of drug addiction, crime and violence.

The number of people who use synthetic drugs in Viet Nam has been on the rise, accounting for up to 70-80 percent of the country's total drug users.

Drug criminals are dangerous subjects who are increasingly sophisticated, violent and reckless while synthetic drugs, addictive pharmaceutical products and new drugs appear more and more and are disguised in many sophisticated forms.

Meanwhile, drugs at schools are complicated with the number of addicts and illegal users of narcotics tending to be younger.

Crime and drug abuse have caused anxiety and frustration within the community, threatening the stability and sustainable development of the country./.