(KPL) Houaphan Province organized a ceremony on October 10, 2024, to commemorate the 24th Anniversary of the National Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking and to destroy narcotics that had been seized and legally ordered for destruction by the provincial court.

The event took place at the Fire Prevention and Control Department of the Houaphan Provincial Public Security Headquarters. It aimed to raise public awareness, promote anti-drug education, and demonstrate the province’s firm commitment to addressing drug-related challenges in line with the National Agenda on Drug Prevention and Resolution.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Tongly Teng, Head of the Houaphan Provincial Propaganda and Training Committee, and Brigadier General Phetsone Insouphane, Head of the Houaphan Provincial Public Security, along with representatives from provincial departments, law enforcement agencies, local officials, and students.

The program featured a health marathon and a presentation highlighting the significance of the National Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking (October 12, 2001 – October 12, 2025). During the event, the Provincial Public Security reported on its achievements in drug control and suppression during the 2024–2025 period.

According to the report, the province has intensified its public awareness campaigns and strengthened cooperation among communities to prevent drug use. Houaphan has established 21 drug-free villages, 142 drug-free secondary schools, and 706 drug-free primary schools. A total of 150 drug addicts, including five women, received treatment and rehabilitation, and 93 individuals (two women) were declared fully cured.

Community-based treatment programs were implemented in six districts—Samneua, Viengxay, Xone, Samtai, and Kuan—benefiting 20 addicts through counseling, medical care, and reintegration support.

In the 2024–2025 period, Houaphan recorded 5,356 registered drug addicts, including 496 women. To support sustainable livelihoods and reduce opium cultivation, 158 families in target villages were encouraged to grow coffee on 117 hectares of farmland as part of the province’s alternative development initiative.

Over the past year, provincial authorities investigated 151 drug-related cases, arresting 203 suspects—including 10 women and five foreign nationals. Seized evidence included 28,679 methamphetamine tablets (Ya Baa), nine bars and 28 packets of heroin, three packets of opium (185.8 grams), one kilogram of crystal meth (ICE), 800 grams of ecstasy (Ya E), 1,371.1 grams of ketamine, 4,426.7 grams of kratom leaves, 13 electronic cigarette pods, and 470 grams of opium seeds.

Authorities also confiscated one military weapon, 28 hunting rifles, 142 rounds of ammunition, 76 motorcycles, 82 mobile phones, 63,528,000 kip, and 72,140,000 Vietnamese dong, along with drug-use paraphernalia and related equipment.

During the ceremony, officials destroyed a total of 1,065.5 grams of heroin, 42,159 methamphetamine tablets weighing 4,900.8 grams, 28,563.2 grams of opium, 3.4 grams of ketamine, 390 grams of monoacetylmorphine, 2,900 grams of acetaminophen, 7.5 grams of caffeine, and 14 electronic cigarette pods.

Brigadier General Phetsone Insouphane emphasized that the destruction of narcotics demonstrates the province’s strong political will and social responsibility to combat drug abuse and trafficking. He reaffirmed Houaphan’s continued efforts to strengthen cooperation among authorities, communities, and youth to create a safe, drug-free society.

KPL