Drug abuse on the agenda

Drug abuse on the agenda

HANOI (AP): Representatives from ASEAN countries will meet in Hanoi next week to discuss how to fight youth drug abuse, an official at the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth League said Saturday.

The conference, to be held Thursday and Friday and co- organized by the Ministry of Public Security and the Youth League, also will draw representatives from ASEAN national AIDS committees and youth organizations, he said.

Participants will share experiences in fighting drug abuse among youngsters in their countries, the official said.

It is estimated that Vietnam has 134,000 drug addicts, 80,000 with police records and 30 percent under age 30.

Official statistics show that 14,000 people have been arrested on drug-related charges in 7,000 cases in the first 10 months this year, up 34 percent compared with the same period last year.

About 30 people have been executed for drug trafficking in Vietnam so far this year.