“New issues in substance abuse prevention communication”

Attending the workshop were representatives of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, Ministry of Public Security, Government Office, Vietnam Journalists Association, Government Electronic Information Portal and University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Mr. Hoang Vinh Bao (Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Member of the National Committee for AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention) said that in recent years, the work of preventing and combating drug abuse has always received the attention of the Party, the Government of Vietnam, ministries, local branches and the support of the people. Especially in the context of increasing drug abuse in Vietnam with the emergence of new forms of addiction without sanctions or increasingly sophisticated trading methods. Information and propaganda work is considered an important solution to clarify the harm and consequences of this abuse; change the awareness and behavior of addicts; and commend individuals and groups that do a good job of prevention.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Hoang Vinh Bao delivered the opening speech at the conference.

However, the Deputy Minister also said that in the era of rapid development of information technology, it is necessary to innovate information and propaganda methods. Specifically, it is necessary to carry out this work in a synchronous, focused, diverse manner, suitable for each target group and region; promote socialization, enhance coordination between relevant ministries, branches, units and localities; apply IT to prevent information that entices and invites substance abuse on social networks.

Assessing the achievements in the work of propaganda against drug abuse in Vietnam, Mr. Le Viet Dong (Deputy General Director of the Government Electronic Information Portal) shared information: According to the assessment of the National Committee for AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention and Control in the period of 2014-2017, the number of news, articles, photos and reports on this topic in publications increased by an average of 10-15% compared to before. Since 2010, the electronic news site "Tieng Chuong" of the National Committee for AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention and Control has been in operation. Over the past nearly 10 years, the "Tieng Chuong" site has actively informed readers about the following contents: reflecting the situation of drugs that are "slipping through the net" and loopholes in law enforcement; propagating the harmful effects of drugs; praising the achievements of police and border guards in the fight against drug crimes; encourage people who have made mistakes to start their lives over...

Mr. Le Viet Dong - Deputy General Director of Government Electronic Information Portal speaking at the conference

Representing the leadership of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University) emphasized the important role of higher education institutions in creating a scientific forum for stakeholders to dialogue and discuss major issues in society. In the context of a world full of insecurity and challenges like today, in addition to traditional security issues, non-traditional security issues have emerged, which are the consequences of the development of modern society, including the issue of substance abuse. And the media must be the pioneering force in helping to push back this problem. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh also said that communication work needs new approaches and more diverse communication content, especially in countries with rich geographical, regional and ethnic structures like Vietnam. In addition, regional cooperation to solve transnational issues such as drug and substance prevention also needs to be promoted.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh speaks at the conference

After the opening, the Conference listened to the main presentations:

• Presentation "Overview of communication and education work on drug prevention and control" by Dr. Nguyen Cuu Duc (Department of Science, Education and Culture, Government Office).

Dr. Nguyen Cuu Duc (Department of Science, Education and Culture, Government Office)presentation

• Presentation "Introduction to Prevention Science" by MSc. Cao Hoang Nam (Chief Coordinator of the Scientific Council, VPIS Internet and Society Research Program).

MSc. Cao Hoang Nam (VPIS Internet and Society Research Program, University of Social Sciences and Humanities)presentation

• Presentation on “Practices of implementing drug prevention programs in the world and recommendations for Vietnam” by Dr. Kevin Mulvey (Addiction Treatment Advisor for Southeast Asia, Samhsa Program) and Mr. Brian Morales (Director of the Drug Control Program Coordination Center, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, US Department of State).

Mr. Brian Morales (Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, US Department of State) presented a paper.

Dr. Kevin Mulvey presents a paper

• Presentation "Improving communication effectiveness on mass media and social networking sites" by Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Loi (Editor-in-Chief of Nguoi Lam Bao Magazine).

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Loi presented his paper.

• Presentation "Enhancing the impact of media programs on youth in preventing drugs and psychotropic substances" by Mr. Nguyen Duc Hoa (Deputy Director of VTV6, VPIS Institute).
• Presentation on “Socialization of drug prevention communication work” by Dr. Le Trung Tuan (Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Research on Drug Users’ Psychology) and Colonel Ta Duc Ninh (former Head of the Drug Prevention and Control Department, Police Staff Department, Ministry of Public Security).

The workshop is part of the 2018 Work Program of the National Committee for AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention and Control in 2018; an activity within the Project "Communication on drug prevention and control on mass media" of the Drug Prevention and Control Program until 2020. The workshop aims to raise awareness of the role of communication and education in preventing substance abuse; share experiences and communication methods from stakeholders; point out challenges and propose innovative solutions in communication methods in preventing substance abuse in the community, especially targeting young people.

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