NCJ Number
204232
Date Published
November 2003
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the production and trafficking of drugs, as well as the individuals using the drugs and drug enforcement initiatives in Vietnam.
Abstract
Vietnam is viewed as a major drug transit area and production nation by the United States. It is a transit area for the flow of Southeast Asian heroin to Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, and the United States. In addition, the poppy cultivation and usage of cannabis and opium continue to be ongoing problems. Cannabis is cultivated and primarily used in the production of rope and in other legitimate hemp products. However, cannabis is also harvested for illicit marijuana consumption. Approximately 10 to 15 tons of opium are produced annually in Vietnam. Eradication and crop substitution efforts have reduced the number of hectares being used for opium poppy cultivation since 1993. In trafficking drugs, Vietnam is becoming an increasingly important transit country for heroin from Burma, Laos, and Thailand and a transit county for marijuana from Cambodia that is shipped to international drug markets. In addition, Vietnam is becoming a significant consumer of amphetamine-type stimulants. The number of drug addicts has doubled since 1997. The increasing availability of drugs passing through Vietnam and the corresponding increase in addiction has resulted in an augmented prevention campaign in schools, workplaces, and media to warn of the dangers of drug abuse. The Vietnamese legislature drafted a long-term counterdrug plan for the period from 2001 to 2010 and covers areas in law enforcement, prevention, education, treatment, and rehabilitation. In December 2000, the Vietnamese National Assembly passed the country’s first comprehensive counterdrug law using commonly accepted enforcement techniques however it is not currently being enforced by the police. Tables