62,000 addicts treated for drug use in 2004

Detoxification centers have treated 62,000 drug users in 2004, according to the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs. The rate of relapse has been reduced from 90-100% to 75-80%. Vietnam lists 131,143 drug addicts, although the actual figure is believed to be 150,000 or more. The ministry says that with international aid Vietnam has eradicated 97% of poppy-growing areas. (The Law Dec. 28, Tuoi Tre Dec. 27, Vietnam News Briefs, Dec. 28).