Vietnam’s policing in harm reduction: Has one decade seen changes in drug control?

Abstract

<jats:p>Alongside raising awareness and creating activities to develop a harm-reduction approach in the HIV/AIDS campaign since the end of the 2000s, broader harm-reduction interventions in Vietnam were also deployed that included several positive steps. Police forces, a fundamental sector in reducing the supply of illicit drugs, were also involved, partly to concretize this approach. As the first paper to examine the role of police in harm-reduction interventions in Vietnam, the current study utilizes qualitative approaches relying on in-depth interviews conducted with multiple key informants from government and its related bodies, United Nations personnel, and non-government organizations (NGOs), as well as police officers. We uncover noticeable progress in changing minds and approaches to apply harm reduction in drug policy, particularly within policing. However, major barriers in regulations, slow acceptance by police forces, and a lack of curriculum and courses in police training have limited harm-reduction approaches. As the first study to review and assess the policy of harm reduction after one decade, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the nature of Vietnam’s police provisions to balance and improve harm reduction in drug control.</jats:p>

Understanding Vietnam’s drug policy for amphetamine-type stimulants misuse

“…In 2008, methadone maintenance therapy was first trialled and then quickly scaled up nationally as one of Vietnam's best evidence-based harm reduction approaches for people who use opioids [16,17]. In 2009, Vietnam officially decriminalised drug use in criminal law, resulting in more harm reduction interventions via methadone clinics [18]. Consequently, there was a transition in drug prevention and control approach from "controlling social evils" to "increasing harm reduction treatment measures" [19].…”

Law enforcement and public health approaches in the Asia-Pacific region

“…Similar harm reduction programs exist in most Asian countries; however, we found problems impeding the success of such programs, including legal issues and dilemmas for law enforcement. For example, the provision of methadone for drug users is illegal in many countries in the region; therefore, law enforcement agencies are reluctant to either strictly enforce the law or help drug users in the program (Luong et al, 2019).…”

“…Improvements in police education and training are vital since they can enhance knowledge, attitudes, and the professional judgement of newly recruited police officers so they can be more focused on coordination and cooperation with other institutions, especially public health agencies (Poothakool, 2016). In terms of harm reduction approaches to substance misuse, the police curriculum should shape trainees' attitudes to work with harm reduction interventions according to public health strategies rather than merely supporting criminalization and charging PWUD (Luong et al, 2019). In other words, people who use drugs problematically should be perceived as patients who need treatment, care, and support rather than as criminals who need to be incarcerated.…”