Keywords

Social security, individuals after drug rehabilitation, newly released prisoners, community reintegration, Hanoi, Vietnam

Introduction

People after drug rehabilitation and release from prison in Hanoi often face many challenges in reintegrating into society. They have difficulty finding stable jobs and rebuilding their family life, they face pressure and stress from the social environment. Support from families, communities, and organization is critical to helping them overcome these challenges. Hanoi city always pays attention to these subjects and has policies including providing financial, medical, psychological support and creating more job opportunities, educational support, vocational training to ensure social security as well as building cultural communities (Pham & Hung, 2024).

Currently, in Vietnam's legal documents, there is no official concept of people after drug rehabilitation. Many studies state that "A person after detoxification is a drug addict who has completed the drug rehabilitation period at a detoxification facility." In this study, the authors use the concept of "post-rehab people" who are individuals who have experienced the process of overcoming and controlling substance abuse. On the road to recovery, people after rehab still carry guilt complexes and are not immune to the temptation of drugs. These people are inferior, inferior, vulnerable, lack bravery, think slowly, get bored quickly, easily give up when facing difficulties, labor discipline is not high, and many do not have the habit of working and love labor. According to data from the Department of Social Evils Prevention and Control - Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, those with stable jobs have a relapse rate of 25%, those with unstable jobs have a relapse rate of 28.5% and no job is 38.9%. Post-rehab people can be categorized into many groups based on factors such as health status, level of social support, stage of recovery. Some common types are new detoxers, stable detoxers, relapsed detoxers, detoxers with mental problems, detoxers with physiological health problems (Lan, 2018; Gang, 2024; Do, 2014).

A person released from prison is a simple term for someone who has gone through a period of imprisonment and is then released, or may be released before the term of imprisonment for certain reasons. This person can complete a number of punishments, which are determined by a decision of the judicial system. After his release, he returned to the community and began the process of social reintegration. People who (Pham & Hung', 2021) have completed their prison sentences before being returned to the community and society are classified into three groups: Prisoners who have completely corrected themselves (prisoners who have become good people before completing their prison term); prisoners who are re-educated, but still have disabilities, certain vices; Inmates who fail to correct themselves while serving their prison sentences deny the educational impact of prison officials. The characteristic of this group is that in terms of status (T. P.-D. T. U. J. of Science, 2017), the majority of those who have completed their prison sentences feel glad to be able to return to a free life. But they also have anxiety about how to live in the days ahead when their previous jobs are gone. Fear of being stigmatized by the community for his past mistakes. There are people with guilt and also resentment and hatred, especially those who suffer from broken families, abandoned by relatives during the execution of the sentence, leading to a state of depression and resignation. In terms of behavior, when they return to a free life, they often choose to live discreetly, afraid to interact with people around them, less participate in local social activities and look to friends in the same situation for empathy, sharing and comfort. On the basis of selective absorption of the problems studied in previous scientific works (H. P.-D. T. U. J. of Science, 2019), the author conducts this study to analyze the challenges and opportunities that people released from prison and after drug rehabilitation face in the process of reintegration into the wider society from a psychological perspective, social, economic and family, as well as assessing social security issues with this group of people. From there, the author proposes some solutions to better support the process of social integration for people after drug rehabilitation in Hanoi in the current period. This research is quite important because it helps us better understand social issues, thereby contributing to helping authorities and managers have more basis to make effective measures and policies to improve the quality of life and build a civilized and developed society.

Methodology

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) "Social protection is the protection of society for its members through a series of public measures, aimed at combating economic and social difficulties caused by cessation or reduction of income, caused by illness, maternity, labor accidents, unemployment, disability, old age and death; and ensuring medical care and subsidies for large families." Social security has an important nature, role and significance in social life, expressing basic human rights, humanitarianism of the state, the spirit of social solidarity contributing to promoting the economic, social and cultural development of the country (Bhogal et al., 2003). Vietnam's current social security protection policies include 4 basic groups. (i) Group of employment policies to ensure minimum income and poverty reduction: support people to actively prevent risks through labour market participation to get good jobs, minimum incomes and sustainable poverty reduction. (ii) Group of social insurance policies: Support people to reduce risks when sick, labor accidents, old age... through participating in social insurance to actively compensate for the reduced or lost income due to the above risks. (iii) Group of social assistance policies, including regular and irregular allowance policies: support people in extremely difficult circumstances, such as children, the elderly, people with disabilities, the poor, etc. by providing cash, services, goods. (iv) Basic social service policy group, helping people access basic services in education, health, housing, clean water and communication. In this study, the author uses the concept of social security for people recently released from prison and in detoxification with a comprehensive meaning, including measures and policies to support, reintegrate into society, and improve the quality of life of these people after going through prison or detoxification (Drebing et al., 2018). We cite the Vietnamese government's conditions of support for post-detox and recently released from prison (Table 1).

Table 1 Regulations on Management and Use of Funds for Provisionof Support for Voluntary Drug Addicts

VOLUNTARY DRUG REHABILITATION REGIME AT HOME AND COMMUNITY 1. Expenditure on making dossiers of voluntary drug detoxification in families and communities: VND 30,000/dossier 2. Expenditures to support the Drug Rehabilitation Working Group (established by the Chairman of the Commune-level People's Committee) when participating in the verification and review of dossiers, treatment, management, protection, counseling and support for drug addicts: a/ Expenditures to support the management: Stationery, printing dossiers, purchasing books and equipment for monitoring, statistics, making lists and managing dossiers of drug addicts. The actual level of payment arising on the basis of estimates approved by competent authorities, contracts, invoices, expenditure vouchers and in accordance with the law on bidding; b) Expenditures to support officials participating in drug addiction treatment during treatment to stop drug addiction concentrated in the community: VND 100,000/person/day; c) Expenditures to support drug addicts in management and protection during treatment to cut drug addiction concentrated in the community: VND 50,000/person/day; d/ Expenditure of support for officials assigned to provide psychological and social counseling to drug addicts - VND 50,000/drug rehabilitator/counseling session; - 70,000 VND/group of drug rehabilitators (from two people or more)/counseling session dd) Expenditures to support commune, ward and township officials in monitoring and managing voluntary drug rehabilitation beneficiaries at home and community: The specific level of support and the number of cadres shall be submitted by the Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to the People's Committee of the province for consideration,  The decision is suitable to the actual conditions on the number of drug addicts in the community and the geographical conditions of each commune, ward and town, but the maximum is VND 350,000/person/month. 3. Expenses for transporting drug addicts from drug addicts' residences to community-based detoxification treatment establishments (if any): Rates of expenditure according to locally applicable general public transport rates. In case of arrangement by means of agencies or units, the support level is equal to 0.2 liters of gasoline / km calculated according to the actual mileage and the price of gasoline at the time of transportation. In case of renting a car outside, the car rental price according to the agreed contract, in accordance with the price in the area at the time of rental.

Result and Findings

According to the Hanoi Department of Labor, in 2023, districts and towns have coordinated with drug rehabilitation establishments to mobilize 602 people to go to voluntary drug rehabilitation at public drug rehabilitation facilities, reaching 62.7%; home and community detoxification organizations are 42 people nearly 1,000 people complete the detoxification period, back to the locality...building 112 new models of post-drug rehabilitation management in communes, wards and townships reaching 108.7% of the target; support, loans, vocational training, job creation 60 people, reaching 24% (Figure 1).

People after drug rehabilitation and release from prison often have many difficulties in reintegrating into society. Faced with social prejudice, they often have difficulty finding jobs, perceiving education, and rebuilding family relationships. People recently released from prison and after detoxification often face the risk of discrimination and social stigma. It can be seen that this arises from stereotypes about their past and mental health issues or feelings about their employment (Taxman et al., 2024). Discrimination can create feelings of isolation and inferiority, which will make it difficult to integrate into society, thus preventing them from seeking new opportunities to rebuild their lives (Reicherter et al., 2003).

The work of supporting loans, vocational training and job creation for people after drug rehabilitation and recently released from prison still face difficulties in lending conditions or due to inferiority complexes with society. Production and business establishments do not want to accept people after drug rehabilitation or criminal records to work (according to chinhphu.vn). According to the decision of the Prime Minister, those who complete their prison sentences are only allowed to borrow a maximum of VND 100 million for production, business and job creation. The decision states that the person who completes the prison sentence and the production and business establishment specified above must be in case there is no outstanding debt at the Bank for Social Policy for other credit programs with the same purpose of using loans for vocational training and production, doing business or creating jobs in accordance with the provisions of law is eligible for loans (Figure 2).

People after rehab and release from prison often experience problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression because of difficult aspects of life after prison and after rehab. The root cause is a high proportion of drug addicts who are lazy to work, others consider themselves poor in their professional capacity. They separate themselves from work, become parasitic, and many lose faith in themselves. They lose their balance, easily fall into depression due to alienation, hate, and contempt from relatives and peers (McGregor & McConnachie, 1995; War, 1997).

Hanoi Department of Invalids, Invalids and Social Affairs has implemented many synchronous and effective solutions such as strengthening propaganda and dissemination of policies and laws on employment for all classes of people, successfully organizing a festival linking vocational education with the Capital's labor market, improve the operational efficiency of the city's job exchanges, including directly and indirectly with provinces and cities in the Red River Delta region, expand the participants of the session to include those who have expired their prison sentences, people after drug rehabilitation. Many social security policies of the city have contributed to gradually improving the quality of people's lives, aiming to ensure sustainable social security through specific practical activities, such as job creation, vocational training, connecting labor supply and demand; insurance legal policies; insurance participation support policies; support policies social help, social incentives; hunger eradication and poverty alleviation programs; basic social services ensuring that "no one is marginalized and its development" (Figure 3).

The Hanoi Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs has implemented many synchronous and effective solutions, such as strengthening propaganda and dissemination of employment policies and laws to people, successfully organizing vocational education fairs associated with the capital's labor market, etc improve the effectiveness of the city's job exchange platform, both directly and indirectly with provinces and cities in the Red River Delta region, expand the participation of different groups in working sessions, including those who have completed their prison sentences, and drug rehabilitation subjects. Many social welfare policies of the city have gradually contributed to improving the quality of life of people, towards ensuring sustainable social welfare development through practical and specific activities, such as: job creation, vocational training, connecting labor supply and demand; insurance policy; social assistance and welfare policies; poverty alleviation programs; basic social services... ensuring "no one is left behind in society and its development". In 2023, in addition to the policies issued by the Central, the City has also issued 9 specific mechanisms and policies for target groups, including children, apprentices, drug rehabilitation beneficiaries and the poor. (Chau, 2015; VAN & HANH, 2011) (Figure 4).

Although the current social security policy in Hanoi is moving in a positive direction, there are still limitations on the impact and sustainability of these programs. Policies to create jobs for addicts after being treated, rehabilitated or released from prison are reflected in the guiding documents of the Party and the Government, but in practice the results of job creation for this group are still not high, only 10%. The cause of this situation, in addition to the objective difficulties of the market economy, is also due to the low awareness and responsibility of authorities and mass organizations at all levels, especially commune-level authorities, neighborhood communities and villages. On the part of the subjects themselves and their families, they are still dependent on society, making no effort to find work. In addition, currently vocational training programs organized in detoxification facilities are mainly "therapeutic" for trainees. On the other hand, our State does not have appropriate mechanisms and policies to encourage and mobilize many socio-economic sectors to participate in creating jobs for beneficiaries (Pham, 2016; H. P.-D. T. U. J. of Science, 2019).

Discussion

The social justice system in Hanoi is facing great pressure for people after rehabilitation and recently released from prison. In order to improve this situation, there is a need for close cooperation between political agencies and non-governmental organizations to develop policies and programs to support social justice to help people after drug rehabilitation and release from prison positively reintegrate into society. The City Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs shall assume the prime responsibility for, and strengthen coordination with the Employment Service Center in the area, the Police of districts, the District Bank for Social Policy, the People's Committee of communes and townships and relevant departments and branches in organizing job transactions for people who have completed their prison sentences; drug addicts after rehab in the City; coordinate with relevant agencies in promoting propaganda and dissemination of Decree No. 49/2020/ND-CP, Decree No. 116/2021/ND-CP and other documents related to vocational training and job creation policies for people completing prison sentences; drug addicts after rehab.At the same time, the District People's Committee also assigns responsibility to agencies, units and People's Committees of communes and towns throughout the city to implement the plan.

The Government should strengthen effective cooperation between the Government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). That's because in some jobs, the acts of NGOs represent the government and can promote work efficiencies that government organizations cannot achieve. The government plays a guiding role in the reintegration of released persons and former addicts into society, and an equal, mutually beneficial friendly relationship. With the participation of NGOs, released prisoners and former addicts can relax their mental attitudes, they will not always remember their identity in front of the community (McGregor et al., 1995; Falisse et al., 2015).

Organize appropriate apprenticeship and job placement counseling activities for those who have completed their prison sentences; drug addicts after detoxification. Drug rehabilitation facilities need to organize more diverse training professions, suitable to the health and desires of trainees and when they return to the community, it is easy to find jobs such as repairing motorcycles, civil electricity, welding, industrial sewing, tailoring techniques, refrigeration, etc computer science.

Organize investigations and surveys on the situation of people who have completed their prison sentences to reside in their localities; drug addicts after rehab in the area. On that basis, summarize, classify and propose all levels, branches and grassroots-level governments to take appropriate and timely support and assistance measures for those who have completed their prison sentences to return to their localities; drug addicts after detoxification so that they can stabilize their lives and reintegrate into the community. The Vietnam Bank for Social Policy in Hanoi needs to provide more financial support, providing financial support services such as scholarships or rental assistance programs to help people who have recently been released from prison or recently rehabilitated to maintain a stable and independent life after reintegrating into society (Spencer et al., 2013).

Hanoi provides flexible, friendly and humane psychological support services for people recently released from prison or recently rehabilitated, such as widely deploying the model of community counseling points to listen to them and better understand them. Based on the information obtained, counselors provide solutions and supports suitable to the needs and circumstances of each person in order to provide counseling services to prevent relapse, HIV infection for people after detoxification and re-offending into social evils of people recently released from prison. From there, they can overcome social stigma, inferiority in themselves and gradually adapt and overcome difficulties in the process of reintegration into the community. Most importantly, however, there needs to be a change in social mindset for people who have rehabilitated and released from prison. The support and acceptance from family and community will give them more motivation and confidence to rebuild their lives. (Kaplan et al., 2018)

Conclusion

This study shows that people after drug rehabilitation and people recently released from prison often face many challenges in terms of psychology, housing, and work in the process of reintegrating into society. However, with the attention of the government and social sectors, they also receive a lot of support through specific policies and decrees. Hanoi city has achieved many great achievements in ensuring social security for this target group. Through the research paper, the author has boldly proposed a number of solutions to improve the effectiveness of improving social security for people after drug rehabilitation and release from prison. In the future, ensuring and improving social protection issues in the capital requires the consensus and cooperation of the entire society. We need to recognize and create conditions for them to really have the opportunity to start their lives again and contribute positively to society.

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Received: 23-Jul-2024 Manuscript No. JLERI-24-15187; Editor assigned: 25-Jul-2024 Pre QC No. JLERI-24-15187(PQ); Reviewed: 08-Aug-2024 QC No. JLERI-24-15187; Revised: 13-Aug-2024 Manuscript No. JLERI-24-15187(R); Published: 22-Aug-2024