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6 STANDARDS FOR IDENTIFYING DRUG ADDICTS

On November 16, 2021, the Ministry of Health issues the Circular No. 18/2021/TT-BYT regulating standards for diagnosis and professional process for determination of state of drug addiction.

Accordingly, 6 standards for diagnosis of state of drug addiction include: Have strong desire or sense of compulsion to use drugs; Have difficulty in controlling drug use behaviors on start time, end time or usage; Have phenomenon of tolerance to the narcotic substances; Become increasingly indifferent to other hobbies or interests due to drug use; Continue to use drug despite knowledge of its harmful effects; Have state of drug addiction treatment (syndromes upon drug addiction treatment) when drug use is stopped or reduced.

The diagnosed persons are identified as drug addicts if at least 3 of the 6 standards occur at the same time within at least 01 month or if they persist for less than 01 month, and are repeated simultaneously within 12 months.

Besides, the Ministry of Health also provides signals for determination of state of treatment of psychostimulants (amphetamines, cocaine or other psychostimulants).

This Circular takes effect from January 01, 2022.

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