Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Number of drug addicts declines

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Number of drug addicts declines

Vietnam officially has 169,000 drug addicts, a reduction of 5.6 per cent on last year. Hai Phong and Long An are reported to have substantially reduced the number of addicts in their regions.
In the first six months of this year, more than 37,600 addicts were also being given treatment to help them give up the habit.
And widespread programmes were being carried out to prevent HIV infection, including free delivery of condoms. Pilot projects using methadone have been used to help in the fight against addiction in Hai Phong and HCM City.
Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong yesterday recognised the progress of anti-drug work at a regular meeting in Ha Noi by the National Committee for Prevention and Control of AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution.
He said it was necessary to stamp out opium growing areas and to block trafficking of drugs from other countries to Viet Nam.
(Source: VNS)

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.