Vietnam Establishes Central Steering Committee for National Drug Prevention Program

The Vietnamese government has established a Central Steering Committee to oversee and advance the national target program on drug prevention and control. This committee will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, with Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang serving as deputy head. The committee comprises members from various ministries and central agencies, including deputy ministers from the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of National Defense, Government Office, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Standing Vice President of the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labor, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. This broad representation underscores the multifaceted nature of drug control as a societal issue. Key responsibilities of the committee include advising the Prime Minister on strategic directions and policy measures for managing and implementing the national target program. It will also be tasked with directing, managing, and coordinating activities among ministries, central agencies, and local authorities to ensure the program's effective implementation. Furthermore, the committee will oversee the review and evaluation of the program's results and develop the implementation plan for the 2026–2030 period. Drug problems are recognized as a serious threat to social stability and development in Vietnam, prompting various countermeasures from the government. Under its one-party system, Vietnam's government-led national programs are expected to leverage strong command structures and swift decision-making for effective execution. The establishment of this committee signifies the government's renewed commitment to drug control and aims to build a more efficient prevention and control system through enhanced inter-agency coordination. Source: Bao Chinh Phu