S’pore’s anti-drug strategy has kept situation here under control: Josephine Teo

SINGAPORE – Singapore’s complete technique in opposition to drug abuse has been profitable in protecting the drug scenario right here beneath management, mentioned Second Minister for House Affairs Josephine Teo.

Talking nearly on the sixty fifth session of the United Nations Fee on Narcotic Medication (CND), Mrs Teo mentioned Singapore’s technique is underpinned by sturdy neighborhood partnerships and public help.

“Our technique goals to scale back each drug provide and demand by way of upstream preventive training, strict legal guidelines and rigorous enforcement, and efficient rehabilitation,” she mentioned.

Mrs Teo, who can also be Minister for Communications and Info, led the Singapore delegation on the hybrid occasion held in Vienna, Austria, from March 14 to 18.

Latest surveys performed by the Central Narcotics Bureau confirmed that almost all of Singapore youth – round 80 per cent – are conscious of the harms of medicine and help the Authorities’s zero-tolerance stance in opposition to medicine, she mentioned.

The variety of abusers arrested annually has halved from greater than 6,000 within the Nineties to round 3,000 in the present day, she famous. The 2-year recidivism charge for drug abusers launched from drug rehabilitation centres has additionally diminished considerably – from 67 per cent in 1996 to 25 per cent for the 2019 launch cohort, she added.

The CND is the principle policymaking physique of the UN for drug issues. It’s accountable for monitoring the world drug scenario, creating evidence-based drug management methods and recommending measures to deal with the worldwide drug drawback.

The hybrid occasion in Vienna had about 1,400 members from 128 nations. They mentioned rising drug management points and the implementation of worldwide drug coverage commitments.

In her speech outlining Singapore’s multipronged drug technique, Mrs Teo mentioned the world’s drug drawback stays a persistent problem and this requires governments to step up home and worldwide efforts.

She additionally sought CND members’ help for the Republic’s bid for CND membership for the time period 2024 to 2027.

“We’re dedicated to contributing extra in the direction of creating evidence-informed and efficient international drug management insurance policies. We’re additionally dedicated to supporting capacity-building efforts and sharing analysis findings on drug pattern,” she mentioned.

Mrs Teo had introduced Singapore’s intention to run for membership on the earlier CND session in April final yr.