Authorities in Binh Phuoc Province, southern Vietnam on Tuesday said that they recently issued a directive to bolster drug prevention measures at schools after a local teacher was arrested for drug trafficking.

On May 28, police in Binh Phuoc Province apprehended two individuals for illegal drug transportation and storage.

One of the suspects is a teacher in Bu Gia Map District. 

Further investigation revealed that this teacher not only distributed drugs to addicts but also consumed them.

“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive threat posed by drugs, which can infiltrate any community and target any demographic,” stated the People’s Committee of Binh Phuoc Province in an official communication. 

“It underscores the pressing need to fortify measures against drug infiltration, particularly within educational institutions.”

According to the People’s Committee of Binh Phuoc Province, the landscape of crime and drug activity has grown increasingly intricate in recent times, with perpetrators skewing younger. 

There is a concerning trend of drugs infiltrating schools, leading to instances of gatherings among students for drug use becoming more frequent. 

Some of today’s youths exhibit a lax work ethic, preferring leisure and indulgence over productivity, rendering them susceptible to the temptations of criminal behavior and illegal substance abuse.

Meanwhile, the coordination between schools, educational institutions, and law enforcement agencies in drug prevention efforts sometimes falls short, lacking the desired efficacy. 

To proactively enhance the effectiveness of drug prevention initiatives within schools, the People’s Committee of Binh Phuoc Province has urged the provincial Department of Education and Training, along with relevant stakeholders, to intensify drug prevention campaigns. 

Special emphasis should be placed on synthetic drugs and substances masquerading in innocuous forms such as candies, beverages, and herbs.

The establishment of a drug-free school model is imperative to preemptively curb the infiltration of crime and drug-related issues among students, contributing to the broader mission of crime and drug prevention. 

From the start of 2022 until mid-March 2024, Binh Phuoc identified 1,420 individuals as drug addicts.

During this period, authorities executed 783 operations resulting in the arrest of 999 individuals. 

They seized 47.39kg of synthetic drugs, 7.6kg of heroin, and confiscated 13 firearms.

Local authorities intervened in 60 cases involving drug use while driving. 

There was an incident where a drug user, exhibiting signs of psychosis, killed a person.

Of concern is the increasing trend of drug usage among young adults, with the average age ranging from 18 to 30 years old.

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