KEEPING SINGAPORE DRUG-FREE

In Singapore, we work hard to keep our country drug-free so that our children can grow up safe from drugs.

We do not tolerate drugs. Drug consumption is harmful and addictive. It destroys lives, families and communities. For these reasons, we reject drug abuse.

Singaporeans appreciate the protection that this approach offers our children and youth.

Every country faces different challenges when it comes to drugs. There is no one-size-fi ts-all answer. This is because each country has its unique set of circumstances amidst different historical, social and cultural contexts.

Singapore has developed its own approach to tackle its drug situation. Specifi cally, Singapore focuses on harm prevention, and not on harm reduction. We work closely with schools and families to spread anti-drug messages. We rehabilitate drug abusers and act fi rmly to deter repeat abusers. We harness the community’s support to reintegrate ex-abusers into society.

We respect the sovereign right and responsibility of every country to adopt its own approach in tackling the drug problem in its society.

This booklet shares Singapore’s approach to keeping our country drug-free.

PREFACE

DRUGS IN SINGAPORE: THE BIG PICTURE

Seizures of methamphetamine pills and crystal

methamphetamine in Asia have also tripled to at least

36 tonnes between 2009 and 2013.

The amount of opium grown in Southeast Asia

has nearly tripled

since 2006.

In 2014, Singapore

confi scated S$8.17 million

worth of drugs.

DID YOU KNOWDID YOU KNOWDID YOU KNOW

01

THE DANGERS WE FACESingapore is a small and densely populated city-state in Southeast Asia. We are situated near the Golden Triangle, one of the world’s largest drug production areas. This means that Singapore could easily become a transit centre or import market for drugs.

Singapore

0302

WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO GROW UP IN A SAFE, DRUG-FREE ENVIRONMENT

We do all we can to stop drug traffi cking and drug abuse. Our tough drug laws and effective enforcement save lives, keep our streets largely free from drugs and crime, and deter organised drug syndicates from operating in Singapore.

We adopt a zero-tolerance stance against drugs.

Drug abuse is a scourge. If left on its own, it infects the community like a disease. One life lost to drugs, is one life too many.

HOW WE SAY NO TO DRUGS

FAST FACTSFAST FACTS

LOW DRUG USE IN

SINGAPORE TODAY

FAST FACTS

In 2014, 3,158 drug abusers were

arrested. This is less than 0.1% of

Singapore’s resident population.

N Engaging families and communities to build a network of advocates against drugs.

N Running preventive drug education programmes to raise awareness about the harms and addictiveness of drug abuse.

N Using tough laws and effective enforcement to tackle both drug supply and demand.

N Intervening early to help young abusers overcome their addiction.

N Rehabilitating and supervising abusers to reduce the likelihood of relapse.

N Working closely with government and community stakeholders to enhance our anti-drug systems and structures.

TargetedPrevention

Rehabilitationand

Supervisionto Reduce

Relapse Rate

UpstreamIntervention

for Young Abusers

StrongDeterrence

Towards a Drug-Free Singapore

Engaging Families and the Community

Enhancing Systems and Structures

The anti-drug ribbon, which is a green ribbon over a white one, represents support for the anti-drug cause. The colours of the ribbon signify Health, Vitality and Strength. The ribbon has been produced as collar pins and reproduced on other commemorative items which are distributed to the public to create awareness of the anti-drug cause.

DECREASING NUMBER OF DRUG ABUSERS

ARRESTED

About 6,000yearly

Then(1990s)

About 3,000yearly

Today (2014)

97.3% of our young people

would say “No” if asked by friends to take drugs. (2013 Youth Perception

Survey)

HEALTHY ANTI-DRUG

ATTITUDES IN SINGAPORE

We say NO to drugs by:

Drug abuse harms the drug abuser, his family, his community and the society.

ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS Æ We conduct talks to reach out to parents and teachers on ways to detect signs of drug abuse and how to obtain help.

MASS OUTREACH CAMPAIGNS Æ We use a mix of social and traditional media to reach out to the public with our anti-drug messages. These include advertisements in print and online media, and anti-drug apps to raise awareness about the anti-drug cause.Æ Collaterals are also distributed to the public to reinforce anti-drug messages.

0504

To prevent drug abuse, we make sure our youths have a good understanding of drug issues. We help our youths learn about the harm, addictiveness and consequences of drug abuse through:

OUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE: PREVENTIVE DRUG EDUCATION

We celebrated the 20th anniversary of Singapore’s anti-drug abuse campaign in June 2015 in conjunction with World Drug Day. To mark this milestone, we hosted an Anti-Drug Abuse Carnival offering activities such as skateboarding, a photo exhibition on the past 20 years of the campaign and an anti-drug dance competition. We also launched an anti-drug mobile app at the event.

DID YOU KNOW?DID YOU KNOW?OUTREACH EVENTSÆ We give anti-drug talks at schools and tertiary institutions.Æ We conduct anti-drug road shows and perform anti-drug skits at tertiary institutions.

INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS Æ We bring the anti-drug message to the public through interactive exhibits and via our anti-drug mobile exhibition bus.

DID YOU KNOW?

0706

OUR TOUGH LAWSApart from tackling drug demand, we also take fi rm measures against drug traffi ckers. This reduces the supply of drugs entering Singapore. Drug traffi ckers can be subjected to the following penalties:

Æ Long sentences of imprisonment with caning; orÆ Capital punishment, for those who traffi c drugs above a stipulated threshold.

Repeat drug abuse causes substantial harm and negative infl uence to both families and society. Hard-core drug abusers who do not kick the habit after repeated rehabilitation may also be subject to jail sentences. We do this to:

Æ Protect society, particularly the young and vulnerable, from being infl uenced by hard-core drug abusers. Æ Deter abusers from continuing to abuse drugs.Æ Prevent hard-core abusers from committing crimes as a result of their addiction.

REVISIONS IN THE LAWIn 2012, Singapore revised the mandatory death penalty regime to give the courts more discretion

FIGHTING DRUGS WITH TOUGH LAWS AND EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT

in sentencing drug traffi ckers under certain circumstances. First, the drug traffi cker must have only played the role of a courier. Second, discretion will only apply, if having satisfi ed the fi rst requirement, the traffi cker has cooperated with the Central Narcotics Bureau in a substantive way or he has a mental disability which substantially impairs his appreciation of the gravity of the act. The courts will then have the discretion to sentence the traffi cker to either the death penalty or life imprisonment.

HOW WE ENFORCE THESE LAWSWe work to stop drugs from fl owing into or through Singapore by:

Æ Conducting joint operations with foreign counterparts, as well as sharing intelligence and best practices to target drug syndicates. Æ Leveraging technology at our borders and checkpoints to detect the smuggling of drugs and contraband into Singapore.Æ Conducting regular operations against syndicates in Singapore.

Our tough laws, coupled with strong enforcement, have been an effective deterrent against drug traffi cking and drug abuse.

We tackle drug abuse early and decisively for young drug abusers.

We provide interventions for abusers based on their risk profi le.

WE GET TO THE PROBLEM EARLY

Low-risk young abusers are placed on the Youth Enhanced Supervision Scheme.

Æ They have to report regularly for urine testing.Æ They are counselled by social service agencies to address the causes of their addiction.

Moderate-risk young abusers are admitted to a Community Rehabilitation Centre (CRC).

Æ This residential programme provides a structured environment for rehabilitation.Æ In the day, abusers can carry on with their studies or work.Æ Abusers attend intervention and life skills programmes to address their risk of re-offending.

High-risk young abusers are sent to a Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC).

Æ Abusers receive rehabilitation and counselling in the DRC.Æ They are subsequently emplaced on aftercare programmes, which includes counselling and supervision to help them reintegrate into society.

As a youth-focused voluntary welfare organisation, Trybe works in close partnership with the Singapore Prison

Service to operate and manage the Community Rehabilitation Centre or CRC. We develop close

partnerships with families and the community as

they are key in supporting the CRC residents in their

rehabilitation goals and reintegration into society. The CRC coaches provide

guidance and mentorship for these youths as they develop

resilience against their drug habit and cope with adolescent-related issues

like rejecting negative peer infl uence and developing

their self-identities. It is through this “Many Helping

Hands” approach that the youths can develop and gain clarity in the goals they want

to achieve and realise their fullest potential.

– Mr Justin LooDeputy Head, Community

Rehabilitation Centre

08

FOLLOWING THROUGH -REHABILITATING ABUSERS

From Teen Drug Abuser

And Gangster To Mentor

Asher Quek first got involved in drugs

when he was 14 years old. At 15, he was

caught and placed in a juvenile home for

three years. On release, he consumed and

sold drugs, and was involved in gambling,

illegal moneylending and gang activities.

Asher ended up in jail twice for these

offences.

During his second time in prison, counsellors

engaged him, and inspired him to change.

Today, six years after his release from

jail, Asher loves his job as a car

salesperson and is ready to settle down

with his girlfriend.

Asher is now a volunteer himself. Inspired

by those who helped him, he now counsels

drug abusers once a month. Asher’s story

demonstrates how the support of volunteers

can turn lives around.

The drug rehabilitation regime in the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) comprises a residential incare phase and a structured aftercare phase. We also work closely with the families of drug abusers and community partners to support these individuals and prevent them from going back to abusing drugs.

In-care: Drug abusers are admitted to the DRC to receive rehabilitation. Counselling programmes are arranged based on their risks and needs.

Aftercare: During the aftercare phase, they can be placed in a halfway house, work release programme or home supervision.They will continue to be supervised after they are discharged from the DRC.

When individuals or families come to us with their problems or concerns, we will assess their needs and provide counselling and case management. This means we explore all available options to address their needs and help them to overcome the challenges they are facing. If an individual is experiencing problems with drug addiction, we will journey with him towards a pro-social lifestyle and attitudes, and offer practical support towards a life without drugs. This would include counselling, case management, mentoring and organising workshops or relevant events for him to participate in.– Ms Sally Choo

Director of Programmes

Care Community Services SocietyHowever, it is ultimately the individual's responsibility to stay away from drugs.

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WE INVOLVE PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITYKeeping Singapore drug-free is a community effort.

SUPPORTED BY PARENTSWe work with parents, especially those with children at risk, by educating them on drugs and teaching them how to detect signs of drug abuse in their children.

SUPPORTED BY THE COMMUNITYIn fi ghting drug abuse, we are supported by:

Æ Government AgenciesN The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social and Family Development support us in our outreach and intervention programmes.

Æ Voluntary Welfare Organisations N Voluntary welfare organisations offer counselling and workshops to drug abusers and their families, and befriending services through support groups.

Æ Corporations and OrganisationsN We partner schools, entertainment outlets and other organisations to organise anti-drug campaigns and road shows.

Æ VolunteersN Yellow Ribbon Community Project volunteers help families of drug offenders with housing, social assistance and education while their loved ones are in jail.

Celebrity Support In 2015, international artiste Jackie Chan became Singapore’s fi rst celebrity anti-drug ambassador. Advocates like Mr Chan help inspire our youths to speak up and say no to drugs.

DID YOU DID YOU KNOW?KNOW?

UNITED AGAINST DRUGS We continually review the approach we take to fi ght drugs. Two national task forces were set up in 2012 and 2014 to study Singapore’s drug abuse situation. Both task forces comprised stakeholders such as:

Community Partners

These reviews help to strengthen our existing anti-drug measures, which range from prevention and deterrence, to the rehabilitation and reintegration of drug abusers.

Government Agencies

Schools, including

Institute of Technical

Education, Polytechnics

and Universities

Social Service Representatives

Our youths may be temptedto try drugs, thinking that

some drugs may not be harmful or that doing

drugs is “cool”. Drugs are defi nitely not cool. Join us

as National Council Against Drug Abuse partners,

participating clubs and restaurants to keep our local

night and clubbing scene vibrant and drug-free.

– Mr Victor Lye, Chairman,

National Council Against Drug

Abuse, Clubs Against Drugs

Campaign

DID YOU KNOW?

In its review of Singapore’s drug situation in June 2015, the Task Force on Youths and Drugs said that cannabis is addictive and harmful. Its use could lead to abuse of other drugs such as heroin and methamphetamine, giving rise to poly-drug abusers. There is also no conclusive research evidence on medicinal benefi ts of cannabis.

DID YOU KNOW?DID YOU KNOW?DID YOU KNOW?

1312

A SAFE, DRUG-FREE SINGAPORE Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance stance against drugs because they cause great harm to our families, communities and society.

We fi ght the drug problem in a multi-pronged and comprehensive manner so that our people are not destroyed by drugs, or suffer from crimes linked to drugs.

We believe that each country is unique with its own history and culture. Each country has the sovereign right and responsibility to decide on the most appropriate approach to tackling its own drug problems within its borders.

Our approach has worked well for us. This is clear in the strong support we receive from Singaporeans for our tough stance on drugs and in the fact that our children grow up in a safe, drug-free environment.

SANA’s mission is to keep Singapore drug-free.

As a non-government organisation, we team up

with schools, corporations and the community, to

prevent drug-abuse and help individuals and families in their

rehabilitation efforts through our holistic

programmes.– Mrs Quek Bin Hwee

President, Singapore Anti-

Narcotics Association (SANA)

As a Voluntary Welfare Organisation, The Helping

Hand halfway house was set up to rehabilitate

ex-drug offenders, helping these individuals with a genuine desire to

change for the better, reintegrate into society

with renewed confi dence and self-esteem. We provide ex-offenders

with accommodation and rehabilitation programmes

that impart pro-social values and positive work

attitudes to help them lead fulfi lling lives. Ex-offenders also have the

opportunity to be gainfully employed.

– Mr Chia Shih Sheung

Chief Executive Offi cer

The Helping Hand: The

Helping Hand is a halfway

house for the rehabilitation of

former drug abusers.

It is important that Singapore maintains a

zero-tolerance approach against drugs. Zero-

tolerance means that we strongly reject the scourge

of drugs and do not condone its presence in

our society. Zero-tolerance means that we tackle both drug supply and demand.

We take a tough stance against those who wish

to profi t off drug addicts. But at the same time, we

rehabilitate those who consume drugs, even as

we take fi rm action against repeat abusers.

– Speech by Mr Masagos

Zulkifl i, Minister, Prime

Minister’s Offi ce and Second

Minister for Home Affairs

and Foreign Affairs

6 March 2015

We have been a strongadvocate for the initiative

since 2007. The increasein drug seizures and arrest

numbers is a sign of thegrowing challenge we are

faced with in Singaporeand the region. We are fullycommitted to stamping out

drug activities alongside the National Council Against Drug

Abuse and our staff willbe trained by the Council to

identify drug abusers.– Mr Dennis Foo, Chief Executive

of St James Power Station, Clubs

Against Drugs Campaign

Ministry of Home Affairs, Singaporewww.mha.gov.sg