In order to mitigate opium addiction and opium-related violations and enhance HIV/AIDS prevention and control, the Prime Minister on October 31 issued Directive No. 32/CT-TTg to request agencies and local administrations to step up the use of methadone in detoxifying and treating opium addicts.
Accordingly, the PM asks provincial-level People’s Committees to update the number of opium and opium derivative users in their localities and set up methadone-based treatment centers under Government Decree No. 96/2012/ND-CP of November 15, 2012.
He also requires provincial-level People’s Committees to further simplify administrative procedures for drug users seeking alternative therapies.
Under the new regulation, the Ministry of Health will be responsible for sufficient supply of methadone and provision of instructions and training for medical workers in methadone-based treatment centers.
The Ministry of Finance will coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment in allocating funds for purchasing methadone, guiding localities in mobilizing resources from the community to carry out the alternative medicine-based treatment.-
