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Drug pushing, use in public places
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Le Thi Rieng Park in Ward 15, District 10 is one of the hotspots in Ho Chi Minh City. As Tuoi Tre reporters observe, 3 to 4 drug pushers operate on a 40-meter stretch of sidewalk in front of Le Thi Rieng Park, accompanied by some minders staying nearby. It is not difficult to recognize these skinny, shabbily dressed men for what they are ---their eyes constantly scanning around, keeping watch and looking for customers.

On the afternoon of June 12, within two hours, we counted a total of 17 people dealing with these pushers. The dealers, we discovered, just kept a small quantity of drugs on them, the remaining was hidden in the crack of an electricity post nearby.

The drug addicts who came to buy drugs stayed for quite a while to talk with the dealers. Sometimes, groups of 4-5 people gathered and openly injected drugs in the presence of many people around. The needles were scattered everywhere after use.

When we approached Cha Va Bridge in District 8, there was no sign of any drug dealers operating publicly. However, many addicts were openly inhaling and injecting drugs despite the many security posts under the bridge. The needles were discarded in the grass, the debris and garbage dumps on the roadside.

On June 20, two young men with a sickly complexion riding a battered old motorbike stopped in front of alley 1678 on Pham The Hien Street in District 8. The man on the back got off and walked into the alley. He gave VND50,000 (US$2.5) to one of the people standing on the riverside in exchange for a small pack and quickly went back to the bike.

The two men then speeded up to Nhi Thien Duong Bridge where they stopped to buy some needles. Seeing a police officer nearby, they rode under the bridge to park the motorbike. Then they climbed over the road separator, compounded and injected the drugs before leaving.

Drugs are also sold and taken openly in other places around the city, such as streets Nguyen Chi Thanh and Chau Van Liem in District 5, some streets in Ward 12, District 8, and Linh Xuan Bridge, Binh Phuoc Bridge, Song Than Bridge in Binh Duong Province.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Hoang Phong, deputy head of the Police Department of Ward 15, District 10 told us that it was not easy to solve the problem due to personnel shortage and the complex alley networks.

“We need the cooperation of other organizations to control the situation,” he said.

Drug selling on the outskirts: difficult to solve

On the afternoon of June 9, under the An Suong overpass in District 12, four addicts were standing or sitting around nervously, as if waiting for someone. A man riding a motorbike arrived, gave them small bags of drugs, received money and quickly disappeared into the chaotic flow of traffic.

After inhaling and injecting the drugs, the addicts sat on the railings, smoked cigarettes and even watched the scenery. No sooner had they left than another group arrived to take the place.

As it got darker, more and more addicts turned up on the bridge. At 6pm, we counted five groups openly selling and using drugs as if they were the only people there. The local residents here were so familiar with this scene that they just ignored them.

The drugs dealers were not exactly shy about plying their trade either. Spotting us, a man strolling along the bridge winked at us and asked if we wanted to buy drugs. A dose of drugs costs around VND100,000 to 250,000. This man also carried some needles to sell.

At noon on June 6, also at this place, we noticed four drug dealers were working at the scene. Drugs stored in nylon bags were hidden in the bushes. From 12pm to 6pm, more than 30 addicts came to buy drugs – all looking young and emaciated.

On the night of June 22, a group of young men phoned H., a drug “broker” living in Cu Chi, telling him they wanted to buy some drugs. H. led them to a small alley on Ung Van Khiem Street near Mien Dong (Eastern) bus station in Ward 25, Binh Thanh District and came out, showing them 3 kinds: ice (methamphetamine), heroin and cannabis. Ice costs VND600,000 ($29) a dose and sells like hot cakes among the youth, H. said.

Lieutenant-Colonel Nguyen Huu Tai, chief of police of Ba Diem Commune, Hoc Mon District told us they could only apply administrative penalty to first-time drug dealers and users if they were not local people.

Arrested the second time, these persons would be subjected to public criticism in front of the people where they live.

When the dealers or users carry no identification and do not cooperate with the officers, the task of identifying their residency becomes more complex.

If caught the third time, they will be sent to rehabilitation centers, said the Lieutenant-Colonel.