Drug addicts return to rehab centre
At 7.30 pm on August 11, about 10 drug addicts attacked and injured a guard at the centre. At 10 pm, 242 addicts broke down the gate and escaped. The police were brought in and 224 addicts returned to the centre. The locks, gate and fences of the centre are being reinforced after being damaged during the breakout. The managers of the centre are also working with police and the addicts' families to persuade them to go back.
According to the locals in adjacent communes such as Tam Hiep, Than Cuu Nghia and Long Dinh, they feel scared and shut all windows and door most of the day. One witness said a group of addicts broke into his house to steal clothes and knives.
On August 11, Colonel Ngo Xuan Tu, head of the police department in Chau Thanh District, called for other people to keep calm and call police if they find any of the escapees. The lives of the locals returned to normal the next day, however, many still do not dare to go out at night.
The security at the centre has been criticised since the majority of the drug addicts have criminal records.
