Drug addicts should be treated as criminals, Vietnam PM says

Speaking at a high-level lawmaking session on July 23, Chinh said the revised Law on Drug Prevention and Control must shift focus from reaction to prevention, starting with controlling addiction at the root.

"As the number of addicts rises, so does demand. That demand fuels supply," he said. "Curbing addiction means curbing the entire chain," he added.

The PM urged lawmakers to codify the Party's stance that "drug addiction constitutes a criminal act."

The current law treats addicts as patients needing rehabilitation.

Still, Chinh stressed the importance of maintaining humanitarian protections, especially for minors, allowing them opportunities to learn and grow.

The legal shift aligns with recent amendments to the Penal Code, which took effect on July 1. Under the updated law, individuals who illegally use narcotics may now face prison if they meet specific conditions, including those undergoing methadone treatment, people currently under post-rehabilitation supervision, individuals within two years of completing such supervision, and users who voluntarily abandon treatment within that two-year window.