It is not too hard to see a person injecting narcotics into his arm at a park in downtown Ho Chi Minh City as several corners of this park have become the usual hangout spots of drug users.

Following the reports of some readers, Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters arrived at 23/9 Park in District 1 and noticed that many drug addicts were using narcotics in public as if there were nobody around.

On Friday afternoon, a man in a plaid shirt exited an alley on Pham Ngu Lao Street carrying a small bag of narcotics.

A man injects narcotics into his bloodstream at 23/9 Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 23, 2022. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

He bought a needle and syringe at a nearby pharmacy before heading to 23/9 Park near the Pham Ngu Lao-Ton That Tung Intersection.

The man sat at a corner and began preparing for the injections.

He mixed the stimulant with a small amount of water before injecting the drugs into the bloodstream through a vein on his arm.

A man helps his friend inject the drugs at 23/9 Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 23, 2022. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

“One bag is enough for two injections, but you have to wait for at least 15 minutes between the shots to avoid overdose,” the man said.

A few steps away, two other men were sharing a bag of drugs.

These drug addicts did not seem to care about other people in the park.

A man injects narcotics into his bloodstream at 23/9 Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 23, 2022. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

A few minutes later, a man in the uniform of a sanitation worker arrived and sat in a nearby corner as he took his shot.

A lottery ticket seller also followed suit, having prepared his drugs, needle, and syringe.

“I have gone to rehab five or six times but still missed the feeling of being high on drugs,” he said.

A man in the uniform of a sanitation worker prepares for his drug injection at 23/9 Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 23, 2022. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

Afterwards, the drug addicts left multiple syringes at the foot of a nearby tree and under the grass.

After seeing the proof from Tuoi Tre, the People’s Committee in District 1 directed the local police unit to patrol 23/9 Park and deal with the drug users in accordance with regulations.

Within Monday morning, officers detected 17 drug users at the park and escorted them to the police station.

A lottery ticket seller injects narcotics into his bloodstream at 23/9 Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 23, 2022. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

Two tourists walk past a man as he injects narcotics into his bloodstream at 23/9 Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 23, 2022. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

Syringes are left behind by drug addicts at 23/9 Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 23, 2022. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

Syringes are left behind by drug addicts at 23/9 Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 23, 2022. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

Police escort drug addicts from 23/9 Park to their station in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 26, 2022. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

Police escort drug addicts from 23/9 Park to their station in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 26, 2022. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre

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