The door of "rebirth" for those who have made mistakes

However, thanks to drastic steps in management, along with strong changes in the legal framework, the fight against “white death” in Dak Lak has achieved many positive results. Discipline has been tightened, efficiency has been improved, and at the same time, the door to “rebirth” has been opened for those who have made mistakes.

From March 1, 2025, Dak Lak Province Drug Rehabilitation Center (located in Tan Tien Commune) was officially transferred from the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to the Provincial Police (specifically the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department) to manage more than 750 drug rehabilitation students, including 30 women.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Dang Trung Kien, Deputy Head of the Dak Lak Province Drug Rehabilitation Center, despite the large number of students, the center still maintains discipline, security and effectiveeducation , and does not allow students to violate regulations, escape from the center or gather to cause trouble. Each student here is educated and motivated with understanding so that they can see the way back to being decent people.

Students are weaving plastic rattan chairs.

The facility currently has 18 police officers , 10 mobile police officers, and a team of doctors, nurses, and professional staff. Not only strengthening internal security control, the police force also coordinates to implement legal education, ethics education, and life skills for students. Specialized film screenings and seminars on the harmful effects of drugs are held regularly, helping drug addicts change their perceptions and arouse their determination to reform. In addition, students also participate in daily labor therapy such as: cashew picking, sewing, weaving rattan chairs, raising animals, growing crops, etc. Every job, no matter how small, contributes to creating positive habits, discipline, and training willpower, towards reintegrating into society after drug rehabilitation.

Since the beginning of 2025, the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department (Dak Lak Provincial Police) has solved more than 200 cases and arrested more than 370 related subjects. Notably, many cases were discovered in karaoke bars, motels, and even in cemeteries... - places previously considered "blind spots" for the authorities.

TP, a 35-year-old student who was addicted to heroin for 10 years, shared: “Before, I lived aimlessly, every night I was high on drugs. Since coming here, with the guidance and instruction of the staff and teachers, I have come to understand the true value of life. Now my health has recovered, my mind is clear. I really want to start my life over.”

As for VA, a 28-year-old female student, she said: “Many of my friends have been in trouble with the law or died from drug shock. I used to think that my life would be the same. But here, I feel like I have a new life. Since the police force took over, the rules and regulations for studying and training have become stricter, and all students are more serious. During the drug rehabilitation process, the police officers helped me feel the values of life.”

Mr. Nguyen Hong Phu, a nurse at the facility, said that in recent years, most of the students are young people. The drugs they use are usually methamphetamine, hallucinogenic mushrooms, ketamine, etc., leading to psychosis, which is very difficult to manage. "In the past, there were people who had been cured 6-7 times and still relapsed. But since the transfer to the police for management, stricter discipline and coordination of psychological support, the relapse rate has decreased significantly. Since the beginning of 2025, there has been no recorded cases of people returning to the facility," Mr. Phu affirmed.

On June 25, 2025, the National Assembly officially passed the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Penal Code, notably adding the crime of “illegal use of narcotic substances” (Article 256a). The Law takes effect from July 1, 2025.

Officers and police officers guide female students in sewing practice.

Previously, according to Decree No. 144/2021/ND-CP, dated December 31, 2021, illegal drug users were only subject to administrative penalties - a sanction that was considered too light and lacking in deterrence. Many people, after being punished, continued to relapse, causing social unrest.

Lawyer Le Xuan Anh Phu (Dak Lak Province Bar Association) commented: "Criminalizing the crime of illegal drug use is very necessary, opening up a strong enough handling mechanism, preventing from the root. According to the new law, people who are undergoing drug rehabilitation, treatment with alternative drugs, or are under post-rehabilitation management but still illegal use drugs will be imprisoned for 2-3 years; repeat offenders can be imprisoned for 3-5 years."

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Hai Quan, Deputy Head of the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department, said that the new law is a powerful legal tool. However, to effectively prevent drugs, the entire political system needs to be involved. In particular, more attention needs to be paid to post-rehabilitation support. If addicts do not have jobs and are not given the opportunity to reintegrate, they are very likely to fall back into their old ways. Therefore, associations, unions, and localities need to clearly demonstrate their role as companions, creating opportunities to help post-rehabilitation addicts rebuild their lives.

Le Thanh

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202507/canh-cua-tai-sinh-cho-nhung-phan-doi-lam-lo-d6e0bea/