Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam, Chairman of the National Committee for AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention of Việt Nam has requested relevant agencies implement measures to fight against illegal drugs. — Photo thanhnien.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam, Chairman of the National Committee for AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention of Việt Nam has requested relevant agencies implement measures to fight against illegal drugs.

The direction came as recent reports emerged about the increasing popularity of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), which has reportedly been sold near schools.

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has asked the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Education and Training and other agencies and localities to devise measures to control the concerning development.

The plans should be reported to the PM by the end of October.

The Ministry of Public Security was assigned to direct police to enhance management areas around schools and impose strict punishment on anyone caught dealing drugs to students.

He also asked the Education and Training Ministry to boost education to students and parents on the impacts of drugs, especially LSD.

He stressed the importance of timely discovery and control of LSD in schools, regular checks, and guidance for drug control in schools and other areas.

Experts have warned that a growing number of young people are using LSD in Việt Nam.

The drug, often sold as a piece of blotting paper soaked in lysergic acid diethylamide, is known for its powerful hallucinogenic effects.

It can cause mental disorders if abused.

The drug has been present in Việt Nam for a few years and is now sold at low prices, from VNĐ150,000-VNĐ200,000 (US$6.7-$8.9) a stamp.

The small stamps are often sold through social networking sites like Facebook.

Recently the drug has been sold near schools, particularly in big cities, and has attracted many young people because it is easy to buy and carry, Tiền Phong (Vanguard) newspaper reports.

According to Nguyễn Văn Tuấn, a Hà Nội Mental Hospital doctor, users can be under hallucinogenic effects for up to six hours after using it.

It can cause users to lose the ability to control their behaviour.

Many youths shared their experience of using LSD on Facebook, even posting where to buy the drug.

Trai Họ Hồ shared on Facebook that it made him feel relaxed.

Everything around him seemed to be slower, he said.                                  

Nguyễn Huy Hoàng, 24, another user, said on his Facebook that he felt like he had entered a different world and was unable to control his actions.

Tackling the drug would be a challenge for drug prevention work in Việt Nam as results had not been positive so far, Tuấn added.

Lê Bá Sâm, an official of the institute for psychological drug users, advised parents to pay more attention to their children. If they show signs of strange behaviour, such as rambling, screaming or panicking, parents should bring them to a hospital.

He also said students should not try drugs and should recognise drugs and drug users so they can avoid them. — VNS