Việt Nam seeks to raise effectiveness of methadone therapy

A patient in Dien Bien province taking methadone therapy. — Photo vietnamnet.vn

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has instructed relevant ministries and agencies to improve the efficiency of a programme to treat drug addiction with methadone therapy.

The programme, implemented by the Ministry of Health (MoH), reaped positive results after 10 years and received praise from the international community.

Accordingly, the system of legal documents, mechanisms, policies and instructions for addiction treatment with the therapy has mostly been completed, reducing the number of drug addicts, law violations and HIV infections.

In addition, it has helped to improve patients’ health and raise their living conditions, thus ensuring social order and safety.

However, the programme’s implementation has faced various difficulties, particularly in human resources, discrimination towards drug addicts and communication work to call for their participation in the programme.

To maintain and raise the programme’s effectiveness, the MoH has been asked to co-operate with the Ministry of Public Security; the Ministry of Justice; and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to propose amendments and supplements to regulations on rehabilitation and treatment for drug addicts, as well as step up monitoring of and support for relevant agencies in the programme’s implementation.

The Health Ministry has also been required to enhance information technology application in the programme’s activities and provide related documents and information to media agencies.

Meanwhile, authorities in provinces and cities nationwide have been tasked with ensuring facilities and resources for the programme and bolstering communication work in localities. — VNS