After the merger, the new Nà Bủng commune has a population of over 11,000 people. Its large area, difficult transportation, 10 out of 16 villages bordering other countries, and a high rate of drug addiction pose challenges for the local government apparatus in implementing the “drug-free commune” plan.

In the old Nà Bủng commune area alone, as of September 2025, there were still over 90 drug addicts, accounting for 50% of the total number of addicts in the entire former Nậm Pồ district. The entire Nà Bủng commune (after the merger) has 108 drug addicts. In the first 9 months of the year, the Nà Bủng Commune Police arrested and prosecuted 18 cases related to the illegal sale, storage, and transport of narcotics. According to assessments, the drug crime situation in the area remains complex.

Faced with this situation, building a “drug-free commune” is identified by Nà Bủng as an urgent, strategic task. Nguyễn Văn Tiếp, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the commune People’s Committee, said: “The Commune People’s Committee issued Plan No.676/KH-UBND on September 12, 2025, on building a ”drug-free commune” for the 2025 - 2030 period. The plan is divided into 3 phases, each corresponding to specific solutions and implementation timelines. Tasks and solutions are clearly assigned to lead and coordinating agencies to ensure clear roles and clear work.”

In recent days, working groups, led by the commune police, have been screening and classifying villages: “drug-free” villages are designated for “maintenance,” and villages with drugs are designated for “new construction” to be transformed into “drug-free villages.” These are the solutions in Phase 1 of the plan.

Mai Văn Hiệp, Chief of the Nà Bủng commune Police, reported: “After reviewing and assessing the situation in each village to find suitable solutions, the unit is now implementing Phase 2, which focuses on solutions and promoting communication in all 16/16 villages to build “drug-free villages.” These solutions will be deployed until December 14, 2025. Following that, the commune will enter Phase 3 (from 2026 to 2030) with the task of maintaining the drug-free status of villages and preventing relapse or new addictions.”

Nà Bủng commune has established a steering committee for building a “drug-free commune” with 48 members, headed by the Chairman of the Commune People’s Committee. According to its operational regulations, the steering committee is responsible for launching, maintaining, and replicating the “all people protect national security” movement linked to the “drug-free commune” goal. It also organizes inspections, urges implementation, detects and handles (or proposes handling for) individuals and organizations violating drug laws, and directs measures for managing, educating, and helping addicts and post-detox individuals reintegrate into the community.

In addition to specific action plans, Nà Bủng commune is actively promoting communication, leveraging the role of mass organizations in reporting crime, strengthening coordination between all departments and forces, and resolutely handling violations.

For example, on October 12, 2025, in Púng Pá Kha village, a working group led by the Nà Bủng Border Post, in coordination with the Professional Division under the provincial Border Guard Command and the Nà Bủng commune Police, caught Mùa A Chà (born 1976, residing in Púng Pá Kha) in the act of illegally trading narcotics. The evidence seized included 800 pink meth pills and 0.54 grams of heroin. The suspect and evidence were processed according to regulations. This timely arrest and strict handling demonstrate the strong determination of the forces in combating drug crime and create a clear deterrent effect in the community.