A student in a teacher-training program who is well-informed about drugs today could, in the future, help hundreds or even thousands of students avoid such risks.
At the inauguration of the "Community Learning Space for Drug Prevention" at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, student Nguyen Hoang Khoa visited the exhibition area and shared his thoughts:
"This is the first time I’ve had the chance to see everything so clearly and up close. The exhibition space helps organize knowledge in a structured way, making it easy for students to grasp essential information. This hands-on experience has had a significant impact on my awareness; it has heightened my—and my peers'—vigilance against sophisticated, manipulative tactics used to lure people into drug use. Furthermore, it provides practical knowledge and resources that I can use to protect myself, while also enabling me to spread awareness among my friends and the future generations of students I may one day teach."
Education students: Recipients and disseminators of knowledge
Regarding the university’s strategic direction, Dr. Cao Anh Tuấn, Vice-Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, notes that as an institution dedicated to teacher training, the university views its education students not only as recipients of knowledge but also as a force capable of spreading knowledge, positive attitudes, and constructive behaviors—reaching students, schools, and the broader community.
Therefore, maximizing the value of the Community Learning Space must go hand in hand with developing a core group of students, presenters, and advocates. These individuals must possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and a strong sense of responsibility regarding drug prevention efforts.Drawing from his practical experience in combating crime, Lieutenant Colonel Le Xuan Thanh (Deputy Head of the PC04 Division) shares this perspective: "A student in a teacher-training program who is equipped with knowledge about drug prevention today can, in the future, pass that knowledge on to hundreds or even thousands of students throughout their teaching career. A teacher who can accurately identify risks—and intervene or provide timely support—can help a student avoid making a grave mistake, thereby safeguarding their entire future."
The risks posed by drugs are becoming increasingly difficult to detect.
The need to raise awareness stems from the evolving nature of drug-related crime. Drugs can now be disguised within everyday items, such as food, beverages, and electronic cigarettes.
Furthermore, the act of luring or enticing individuals into drug use does not necessarily occur in high-risk or "troubled" areas. It can begin with a simple conversation on social media, a new acquaintance, or the introduction of a product of unknown origin.Even adults—parents and teachers alike—sometimes struggle to identify new types of drugs, drug paraphernalia, or the warning signs of substance use. For students, a moment of uninformed curiosity or a lapse in vigilance when faced with an invitation to use drugs can lead to serious consequences.
This exhibition space transforms what might otherwise be dry, abstract, or difficult-to-visualize information into accessible, relatable knowledge—knowledge that visitors can apply in their own daily lives.
An Open Learning Space for the Community
On the morning of October 23, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education inaugurated a "Community Learning Space for Drug Prevention and Control" within its library building. The project was spearheaded by the university, with collaborative support from the Ho Chi Minh City Police, the People's Police University, the Department of Education and Training, the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, the Vietnam Youth Federation of Ho Chi Minh City, and the Steering Committee 26 of Cho Quan Ward.This project serves as a key initiative to implement Resolution No. 02-NQ/TU, dated December 12, 2025, issued by the City Party Committee, which focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of efforts to combat crime and drug-related social evils. It also serves as an activity to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the institution’s founding.
While designed primarily as an internal space for study and learning, the facility is also open to students and the general public—including residents of Cho Quan Ward and the city at large—for visits and educational purposes.
Combining crime prevention with law enforcement
Practical experience in combating drug-related crime within the city reveals significant challenges. In the first 10 months of 2026, the drug enforcement police and local commune-level police forces detected and handled 6,401 cases involving 17,756 individuals—an increase of over 40% compared to the preceding period.
During these operations, authorities seized more than 640 kg of synthetic drugs, 518 kg of cannabis, and nearly 15 kg of heroin. Furthermore, law enforcement dismantled 75 cases involving 780 individuals linked to organized, transnational drug crime. Additionally, 565 cases involving the exploitation of cyberspace for drug-related offenses were identified and addressed.As Ho Chi Minh City works toward its goal of becoming a drug-free city by 2030, the focus remains on prevention alongside the suppression of drug-related crime. Integrating drug prevention education into academic and training environments serves as a strategic approach to equipping educators—those on the front lines of instruction—with the necessary knowledge from an early stage.