Measures to manage drug users after detoxification have proved ineffective in many localities. Many cities and provinces have seen a sharp increase in the number of drug addicts.

Two addicts rob people at a train station in HCMC

After two years of the pilot programme to rehabilitate drug addicts at home, many local authorities are still confused at how to manage the addicts after rehabilitation.

In HCM City, the number of drug users has increased by 20-30% annually.  In the first six months of 2012, the number increased 60% compared to last year. The number of addicts in District 8, is now 1,400, which is a sharp rise from 422 addicts in 2010 and 936 addicts in 2011.

Huynh Quoc Thai, deputy head of District 8's Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs said most of the drug users did not hold household registrations. The authorities had reported and tried to bring them to rehabilitation centres but the number of addicts had still increased.

Thai said it's because of the complicated situation in the district and shortcomings of the adjusted regulations on managing drug addicts. "The drug addicts that don't want to be treated are allowed rehab at homes for six months before they are forced into centres. Many have taken off during this time."

In Hanoi, the agencies discovered 539 of over 577 communes and wards had drug users. The city now has about 20,539 addicts.

Danang City also has 1,057 addicts, an increase of 357 compared to last year. Le Minh Hung, head of Department for Social Evils Prevention said the number of adolescents using synthetic drugs is on the rise. Even people live in rural and remote areas are now also use drugs.

Many other provinces also have seen a sharp increase in the number of addicts such as Thai Binh, Binh Duong or Binh Thuan.

Major-General Phan Anh Minh, deputy director of the HCM City's police said along with the number of addicts, drug-related crimes also increased 46% in the city. 245 offenders with previous convictions and 41.13% have committed multiple crimes or being wanted.

HCM City's police reported that crimes related to drugs have increase 10% each year.

The police of Binh Thuan and Danang also reported that serious crimes in their areas had increased because of a surge in the number of addicts.