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These are real stories in the “Facing drugs” photo exhibition by Hoai Thanh, the first of its kind about the life of drug addicts in Vietnam.
The photographer spent over one year with 50 drug addicts to take these photos. The exhibition will close on June 25, at 29 Hang Bai, Hanoi.
Khuat Thi Oanh, a representative of the organizing board said: “We hope that this exhibition will not only help reduce discrimination against drug addicts, but also encourage them to live more positively. Above all, we want them to understand that they are not alone in the war against drugs”.
Below are some photos at the exhibition.
Deeply understanding the hardship and pains in drug rehab--so after successfully
rehabilitating from drugs, Nguyen Xuan Cuong, 39, in the northern province of
Thai Nguyen, becomes a volunteer to help other drug addicts in rehab.
This is a group of senior drug addicts. The eldest is 61 years old. Their families
confess themselves helpless because all of them have taken narcotics for at least
a decade, and they have failed in rehab for several times. Therefore, they group
up at a house in Cam Pha town, Quang Ninh province to learn experience and help each other in rehab.
These young people hire a house on an island to rehab. Their families have to
pay VND1.5 million (around $80)/person/month. Some families can afford to pay for one
year but some have to leave the house after several months.
“I have to struggle every hour. It is very tense and tiring. I have had rehab
many times, so sleeping pills are ineffective. Others take 5-7 pills but I
have to take 20 pills, but the medicine is only effective for 2-3 hours,”
said Thang (white), 39, from Dien Bien city.
For Dang Tran Khanh, 32, from Hanoi, this chain was used to chain him before.
Now it is used to chain his motorbike against thieves at noon. Khanh has
joined a group of volunteers to help other drug addicts.
To cease drug addiction, Tam, 27, in the southern province of An Giang,
lives in a small tent in the field to take care of his parents’ crop. Living in deprivation
but Tam can avoid other drug addicts. “Thanks to My’s encouragement, I can give
up drugs. We now live here together,” Tam said. (My is an addicted woman).
Do Quang Khai, 34, assists others to rehab by his own experience. After attending
a training course on drug shock, he has saved two drug addicts from drug shock.
This old lady is very happy because her son has successfully rehabbed.
The son, named Kien, is now running a motorbike washing service in the central province of Nghe An.
“I’m happier than many people because I have my baby and have a job. I’m not
discriminated in my group and I have assistance from many people,” said Mong Linh, 32 from HCM City.
rehabilitating from drugs, Nguyen Xuan Cuong, 39, in the northern province of
Thai Nguyen, becomes a volunteer to help other drug addicts in rehab.
This is a group of senior drug addicts. The eldest is 61 years old. Their families
confess themselves helpless because all of them have taken narcotics for at least
a decade, and they have failed in rehab for several times. Therefore, they group
up at a house in Cam Pha town, Quang Ninh province to learn experience and help each other in rehab.
These young people hire a house on an island to rehab. Their families have to
pay VND1.5 million (around $80)/person/month. Some families can afford to pay for one
year but some have to leave the house after several months.
“I have to struggle every hour. It is very tense and tiring. I have had rehab
many times, so sleeping pills are ineffective. Others take 5-7 pills but I
have to take 20 pills, but the medicine is only effective for 2-3 hours,”
said Thang (white), 39, from Dien Bien city.
For Dang Tran Khanh, 32, from Hanoi, this chain was used to chain him before.
Now it is used to chain his motorbike against thieves at noon. Khanh has
joined a group of volunteers to help other drug addicts.
To cease drug addiction, Tam, 27, in the southern province of An Giang,
lives in a small tent in the field to take care of his parents’ crop. Living in deprivation
but Tam can avoid other drug addicts. “Thanks to My’s encouragement, I can give
up drugs. We now live here together,” Tam said. (My is an addicted woman).
Do Quang Khai, 34, assists others to rehab by his own experience. After attending
a training course on drug shock, he has saved two drug addicts from drug shock.
This old lady is very happy because her son has successfully rehabbed.
The son, named Kien, is now running a motorbike washing service in the central province of Nghe An.
“I’m happier than many people because I have my baby and have a job. I’m not
discriminated in my group and I have assistance from many people,” said Mong Linh, 32 from HCM City.
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