Drug addicts at a detoxification establishment in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) - 🅘TheMinistry of Health has issued specificguidelines on intervention to manage synthetic drugs abusers amid an increasein synthetic drug use in the country.
The guidance includesoverview of synthetic drugs, screening, diagnosis, interventional measuresbased on psychology and behaviours, and treatment of mental disorders. The ministry saidsocial assistance should be provided in the community for synthetic drugsabusers. According to Le DucHien, deputy head of the Department of Prevention for Social Evils under the Ministry of Labour,Invalids and Social Affairs, the abuse of synthetic drugs is rising, posingchallenges to drug detoxification work. At a press briefingon March 15, Hien said there are 225,089 drug addicts known to authorities inthe country, of whom between 60-70 use synthetic drugs. The rate even surpasses90 percent in some localities, such as An Giang, Binh Phuoc and Hau Giang. According to theNational Institute of Mental Health at Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital,psychological problems among synthetic drugs include paranoia, hallucinations and depression. – VNA
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The Hanoi People’s Court pronounced the death penalty for two defendants charged with the illegal transportation of drugs at the first instance trial on January 10.
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In 2024, Vietnam achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. Immunisation coverage in the country has not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed the rates recorded in 2019.
Health authorities in HCM City have issued an urgent alert after six people died from dengue fever, amid a spike in infections driven by the onset of the rainy season.
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After more than three weeks of intensive treatment, the patient's pneumonia improved, breathing stabilised, sedation was reduced, and the breathing tube was removed. He is now conscious, able to eat orally, and in recovery.
Drug addicts at a detoxification establishment in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) 
