On March 1st, in the RECOVERY+ project, SCDI cooperated with Hanoi Department of Social Vices Prevention to organize the Kick-off Meeting: “The Pilot Model of Social and Legal Assistance, Consultation and Referral Services for People who Use Drugs”.

Attending the meeting were representatives of the Department of Social Sciences and Education (Office of the Government), Hanoi Department of Social Vices Prevention (Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI); People's Committee of Nam Tu Liem District and Long Bien District…

Mr. Hoang Thanh Thai – Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs stated that in recent years, several addiction treatment models have been applied, however, due to the shift in drug use situation: from heroin to synthetic drugs leading to the rise of mental health problems among drug users, it is important to have addiction treatment work renovated based on the community. The addiction treatment model should deliver comprehensive healthcare, psychological, social and career support services to drug users to improve their social and personal well-being.

Mr. Hoang Thanh Thai – Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs made a speech

Dr. Khuat Thi Hai Oanh, Director of the Center for Supporting Community Development Initiative (SCDI) said that in fact, the phenomenon of relapse was very common. The process of psychological stress is one of the main reasons that make rehabilitation difficult. This fact shows the model of psychological and social support toward drug addicts before being considered the compulsory detoxification measures by the court is necessary. Also, according to the recommendations of the United Nations, the close coordination between judicial authorities and medical services helps increase the effectiveness of the treatment of substance use disorders. The Government of Vietnam has also designed policies of promoting voluntary detoxification in the community.

Dr. Khuat Thi Hai Oanh, Director of SCDI shared at the conference

At the conference, delegates highly appreciated the significance of implementing the pilot model of social and legal assistance, consultation and referral services for people who use drugs, supporting drug users and drug addicts to get access to and use treatment services, drug detoxification, comprehensive recovery in the community, harm reduction and reducing illegal and dangerous behaviors to drug users and the community. However, the participants were also concerned about facilities, human resources and funding to operate this model.

According to Mr. Phung Quang Thuc, Director of the Department of Social Vices Prevention, Hanoi Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, on February 12th, 2019, Hanoi People's Committee issued the 40th Plan on implementing the pilot model of social and legal assistance, consultation and referral services to people who use drugs in Hanoi city in Long Bien and Nam Tu Liem districts.

Accordingly, the city will implement social and legal assistance, consultation and referral services for 150 arrival visits of drug users in the pilot areas; support at least one need for detoxification, treatment of mental disorders, alternative treatment, examination, testing, treatment of hepatitis B, C, tuberculosis, HIV for 100 arrival visits of drug users in the community (equivalent to 60-70% of people sent for treatment). The model is implemented in 2 districts of Long Bien and Nam Tu Liem. Each district would select 3 wards to participate in the pilot model.

The goal of the model is strengthening the collaboration of judicial authorities,

society and community agencies in supporting the drug users to access and comply with suitable community-based social and legal health services in the community for drug users. It aims at improving the addiction treatment effectiveness, reducing the rate of relapse, re-violation of the law due to the impact of drugs and the risk of HIV infection among drug users

This is a new model applied in Vietnam. Thus, the implementation process will face many difficulties and obstacles, especially the awareness of the people and the authorities. Therefore, the participating units must actively spread propaganda, promptly solve difficulties and problems arising in the process of implementation in the spirit of cooperation, on that basis to deploy replication in key and complex areas in drugs, improving the quality and effectiveness of management, treatment and drug detoxification in the community, substantially reducing the situation of drug-related crimes.