Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem talks about drug problems and converts addicts

(Dan Tri) - According to the delegate, the fight against drugs is very fierce, because the enemy is not only dangerous and reckless criminal rings but also corruption, temptation, and "darkness in people's hearts".

Speaking at the discussion group on the draft Law on Drug Prevention and Control (amended) on the afternoon of November 11, Most Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem ( Hanoi ) said that amending this law is very important, comprehensive and urgent in the context of drug abuse becoming increasingly complex, sophisticated, and spreading and becoming younger.

Need to prevent from the root

According to the delegate, drugs are not only a danger to human health but also the cause of many social evils, destroying family happiness, degrading morality and personality, and threatening the future of the young generation.

"The law is not only a legal tool of the State, but also a means of transformation, helping people return to a healthy, mindful and loving lifestyle," said Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem.

Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem speaks at the discussion (Photo: Trong Phu).

Delegates suggested further emphasizing the element of prevention from the root, through moral education , lifestyle and building a healthy social environment, so that non-addicts do not fall into addiction, and addicts have the opportunity to quit and rebuild their lives.

Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem also proposed to supplement the viewpoint on the responsibility of religious organizations, the Fatherland Front , and social organizations in propaganda, mobilization, and rehabilitation of drug addicts.

Accordingly, encourage residential communities to participate in models of "drug-free neighborhoods", "happy families", "self-study and self-improvement"... to help drug addicts voluntarily quit drugs at home and in the community in accordance with the policy of diversifying drug addiction treatment methods according to regulations.

Regarding the policy towards drug addicts, the delegate said that it is necessary to clearly demonstrate the spirit of humanity, creating conditions for addicts to receive voluntary drug addiction treatment and reintegrate into society.

Propose to add specific support policies such as vocational training, loans, job creation, participation in community activities without discrimination...

Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem emphasized that the fight against drugs is silent but full of hardship and fierceness, because the enemy we face is not only dangerous and reckless criminal rings but also corruption, temptation, and "darkness in people's hearts."

"I believe that if the law is perfected in the direction of early prevention, education, humanity, and rehabilitation, it will help many people who have made mistakes return to normal life, maintain social order and safety, and move towards a peaceful and happy society," the delegate said.

Proposal to review the time of drug addiction treatment

Agreeing with the amendment and supplement to the Law on Drug Prevention and Control (amended), delegate Nguyen Huu Chinh, former Chief Justice of the Hanoi People's Court, said that this amendment provides detailed regulations on improving efficiency, focusing on drug prevention mechanisms, prioritizing prevention over control.

Delegate Nguyen Huu Chinh speaks (Photo: Trong Phu).

Regarding the period of drug addiction treatment, the draft stipulates 24 months for first-time addicts and 36 months for relapsed addicts (second time or more). Mr. Chinh expressed concern about this regulation, because the purpose is to help addicts quit and recover completely, while each person has a different physical condition.

Therefore, the delegate suggested reviewing the time, which could be specified or until the addict is completely cured. The delegate also noted to consider the 36-month regulation for relapse cases, because according to the Penal Code (amended), drug users who relapse will be criminally prosecuted for the crime of illegal drug use.

Regarding this law, delegate Le Nhat Thanh (Hanoi) said that according to the provisions of the Law on Handling of Administrative Violations, in case a person who is serving a decision to apply administrative measures to be sent to a compulsory drug rehabilitation facility is prosecuted for criminal liability and sentenced to imprisonment, he/she will be exempted from serving the remaining time of the compulsory drug rehabilitation decision.

According to him, in practice, this regulation has revealed a number of shortcomings, with many cases of intentional violations of criminal law with low prison sentences in order to be exempted from serving part of the drug rehabilitation period or violating it to not serve the remaining post-rehabilitation management period.

Besides, Mr. Thanh said that current law also has no regulations on suspending or canceling the decision to enforce compulsory drug rehabilitation measures.

The delegate cited statistics from March 1 to October 31, showing that nationwide there were 276 cases of crime while undergoing compulsory drug rehabilitation.

Based on the above reality, Mr. Thanh proposed to add a regulation that drug addicts who are being treated for drug addiction and are prosecuted for criminal liability and sentenced to prison must continue to undergo drug addiction treatment and post-treatment management after serving the prison sentence if the time spent serving the prison sentence is shorter than the remaining time spent on drug addiction treatment and post-treatment management.

In case the prison sentence is longer than the drug rehabilitation and post-rehabilitation management period, the drug rehabilitation and post-rehabilitation management decision will be suspended, according to the delegate.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/thoi-su/hoa-thuong-thich-bao-nghiem-noi-ve-van-de-ma-tuy-cam-hoa-nguoi-nghien-20251111164408114.htm