The "Drug-Free School" program, a collaborative initiative by the Drug Crime Investigation Department (Ministry of Public Security), the Department of Students (Ministry of Education and Training), and Vietnam Television, marked its third year. The program aims to enhance drug prevention efforts in schools nationwide.

This year, the program adopted a dynamic gameshow format with an expanded scope. It featured 20 competitions specifically for high school students, with additional contests for university and college participants, concluding on 5/12.

High school students engaged in segments testing knowledge and social skills, including "who am i", "knowledge", and the "oratory" challenge. Organizers highlighted the oratory segment as a key feature, where contestants presented personal viewpoints and sharp critical thinking. Legal information, often considered complex, was conveyed by Gen Z in an accessible and persuasive manner.

University and college students showcased their commitment through the "presenting drug prevention projects for the community" segment. Many projects received acclaim for their high applicability, with some successfully piloted in communities and yielding positive initial results.

Additionally, a joint talent segment, open to both student groups, creatively used music, theater, and physical drama to deliver engaging drug prevention messages.

Students from Yen Phong 1 High School (Bac Ninh) participate in the competition. Photo: Organizing Committee

Giap Van Hoang Thinh, Secretary of the Youth Union at Giap Hai High School (Bac Ninh province), reported significant student engagement in its inaugural year of participation. Thinh stated, "The school hopes to continue participating in future years to bring drug prevention education closer to the students."

Hoang Lan, a 12A2 student from Giap Hai High School, particularly appreciated the talent segment. According to Lan, this part required contestants to actively research and filter information about drugs to create compelling awareness messages. "After the program, I gained basic knowledge about the harms of drugs and learned how to respond when confronted with related behaviors or crimes," the student shared.

The organizing committee credited the synchronized involvement of the police, provincial departments of education and training, and local schools for establishing the competition as a systematic legal awareness activity.

The program also achieved impressive media effects on digital platforms. On the VTV2 Chat luong cuoc song Fanpage and the Drug Crime Investigation Department Fanpage, some program videos garnered over 1 million views and more than 1,000 shares. Most other videos maintained interaction levels exceeding 300,000 views.

Colonel Nguyen Duc Tuan, Deputy Director of the Drug Crime Investigation Department, Ministry of Public Security, emphasized that drugs pose a global threat. He noted that adolescents are vulnerable due to their exploratory and curious nature. Just one moment of curiosity or lack of understanding can expose them to the risk of addiction or criminal activity.

Statistics indicate that the country currently has nearly 300,000 registered drug addicts, illegal drug users, and post-rehabilitation individuals. Approximately 60% of first-time drug users are aged 15-25, with many as young as 13-15. Therefore, equipping individuals with knowledge and skills for drug prevention requires the collective effort of families, schools, and society as a whole.

He hopes that through the competition, every student will become an ambassador for the message "for a drug-free community" to their families and friends, contributing to building a healthy and safe educational environment.

By Khanh Linh