New committee to look into drug use among youths, after study found 42% of abusers started before 18

New committee to look into drug use among youths, after study found 42% of abusers started before 18
A new programme will train residents of Pertapis Halfway House, who are repeat drug offenders, in work skills.
PHOTO: The Straits Times

SINGAPORE - A new committee will be set up to look into drug use among youth, following an Institute of Mental Health (IMH) study which found that the starting mean age for drug consumption among Singaporeans and permanent residents was 15.9 years.

The Inter-Ministry Committee on Drug Prevention for Youths was announced by Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam on the sidelines of his visit on Tuesday to Pertapis Halfway House, where he launched a programme to train the home’s residents in work skills.

“We will try and see how we can focus on drug prevention efforts in homes – through parents – in schools, in the community, in national service. We’ve got to approach this from many different aspects,” he said at a doorstop interview. 

The committee is chaired by Mr Shanmugam and will involve the Education, Social and Family Development, Culture, Community and Youth, Defence, Communications and Information, and Health ministries, as well as the People’s Association.

It is made up of seven senior ministers of state, ministers of state and senior parliamentary secretaries from the various ministries. It will look into developing a whole-of-government response to the drug problem among youth, with a focus on drug prevention, and will start in the third quarter of this year.

Responding to a question from the media, Mr Shanmugam said: “How do we try and get the message across that drugs are a serious problem?

“It has gotten across to many Singaporeans, or most Singaporeans, I would say. We need to emphasise it, drive it home further. Also, we have to approach the young people themselves.”

He added: “That is why we need to work with the parents, with the community, with the schools, national service – in a variety of different ways. And send the message, give them alternatives, give them opportunities to think about it, think carefully, and try to keep them out of trouble.”

The first survey on the prevalence of illicit drug use here, conducted by IMH between April 2021 and July 2022, found that 41.8 per cent of abusers started consuming drugs before the age of 18.

Read Also
Former teen addict gave up drugs to be 'a better mother' to her 4 kids
singapore
Former teen addict gave up drugs to be 'a better mother' to her 4 kids

It estimated that 0.7 per cent of Singapore residents had abused drugs in the past year.

Among those who had abused drugs, curiosity was the most common reason for starting to do so. Other reasons included peer pressure and the belief that drugs could help them cope with problems.

On Tuesday, Mr Shanmugam also responded to a question on whether Singapore will face more challenges in its drug situation, with Thailand legalising cannabis and Malaysia abolishing the mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking.

He said: “The challenges are increasing, and the challenges are not only regional. If you look at one aspect, there is a lot of wrong, false information out there – narratives which are driven by profit motives, which seek to mislead on drugs, including on cannabis.”

Announcing the new programme at Pertapis, Mr Shanmugam said it provides offenders with work therapy and training, to help them better prepare for a job, both psychologically and on the skills front.

Pertapis currently houses about 90 residents who are repeat drug offenders, aged between 30 and 70. The programme is aimed at reducing five-year recidivism rates.

Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam (centre) and Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (left) meeting residents at Pertapis Halfway House on Tuesday. 
PHOTO: The Straits Times

“From Prisons’ perspective, the more we can help them, and work with partners, hopefully that will help the (supervisees) stay out of trouble and away from drugs, so they don’t go back to prison. We find that being employed and working at a job is one of the key factors in keeping people out of prison,” said Mr Shanmugam, referring to the Singapore Prison Service.

The new programme includes tasks like paper shredding to allow elderly offenders with weekly medical appointments to earn an allowance, while disposing of documents in an eco-friendly way.

Pertapis also has a Drive For Change initiative that allows residents to get their driving licences while being attached to a movers’ team, which provides logistical services to internal and external clients.

Pertapis resident Razak (not his real name), who is in Drive For Change, said he hopes to become a safety manager in a hotel. The 44-year-old is also taking a part-time SkillsFuture course in safety supervision to work towards his goal.

“I want to put my time to good use while I’m here,” he said.

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.

homepage

trending

trending
    Sex first, then you can sell my flat: Women property agents fend off indecent proposals and harassment
    'Reflecting our shared pride and collective spirit': Singapore rolls out National Day-themed trains and stations for 60th birthday
    Singapore travel company responds after criticisms over alleged planning and safety lapses on Madagascar expedition
    Coldplay might have exposed tech CEO's alleged affair during concert
    'Absolutely not okay': New auto pet washer at Holland Drive draws concern from netizens, SPCA
    5 foreigners charged over scheme to get arrested to prolong stay in Singapore and sell sex drugs
    Toto windfall: $12.8m prize divided among 12 Group 2 winners
    Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for Singapore
    From Paris to Raffles Place: Singaporean-founded deli Nonette opens pop-up, here's what you should try
    Books Kinokuniya's new outlet at Raffles City opens, features reading room and outlet-exclusive items
    'I hope Wang Xiaofei earns a lot of money': Ken Chu scolded for selling products by Barbie Hsu's ex-husband, explains his actions
    Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025: Boon Tong Kee in Balestier and Kotuwa among 11 new entries on list

Singapore

Singapore
    • 'Final Destination'? Falling tree strikes car along SLE, shocks netizens
    • 'A lesson learnt': Singapore-based woman fractures rib while attempting viral Chongqing motorcycle trend
    • 'Be my boyfriend tonight': Sex workers allegedly soliciting customers near Orchard Road
    • 'Everyone's time is respected': ComfortDelGro to introduce new taxi cancellation, waiting fee policy
    • Police investigating 93 people, including 13-year-old, for unlicensed moneylending activities
    • Singapore Zoo breeds critically endangered Philippine crocodile for the first time
    • Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail
    • What is the best way to meet the people's needs? SM Lee, Jamus Lim debate COE scheme
    • NEA monitoring E. coli at Sentosa after elevated bacteria levels delay World Aquatics events
    • HSA launches anti-vaping checks near 5 institutes of higher learning

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • Video-taking ban at J-rock band My First Story's debut Singapore show results in superb concert experience
    • 'Wow, who is this girl?' Pierre Png and Cynthia Koh recall first time they met at water park as teens
    • 'How long can I continue to sing for?' JJ Lin diagnosed with heart condition in 2024
    • 'It feels like a dream': F4 reunite for first time in over 10 years during Mayday concert finale
    • The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is coming to an end
    • Simon Cowell to star in new reality show for Netflix
    • North Korean defectors make debut in new K-pop boy band
    • John Malkovich's scenes cut from The Fantastic Four: First Steps
    • Sarah Michelle Gellar rubbishes rumours of feud with Jennifer Love Hewitt
    • Rachel Brosnahan hired witch to help shed travel 'curse'

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Life-sized animatronics, 22 immersive zones and more: First look at the new Singapore Oceanarium
    • Malaysian watch brand pays tribute to king of fruits with durian-inspired timepiece
    • Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025: 5 Singapore bars make the list, a drop from last year's 11
    • Kaya toast, extra cute please: Breakfast-themed plushies with a local twist at Marina Square pop-up
    • Singapore’s millionaires chase longevity and well-being as latest must-haves
    • Lion cub cuddles on offer with afternoon tea in China
    • Men jailed for felling Britain's iconic 'Sycamore Gap' tree
    • Las Vegas Sands' new development part of Singapore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong
    • I thought childbirth was painful. Then I caught my baby's hand, foot and mouth disease
    • How a mother's warmth shapes a child's mental health, according to science

Digicult

Digicult
    • Slim, sleek, but slightly too short-lived: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review
    • World's best Dota 2 teams to compete for $1m prize pool in Singapore in November
    • 'Give a positive review': Hidden AI prompt found in academic paper by NUS researchers
    • 'Report 1 shop, another 10 appear': Hoyo Fest artists on copyright struggles
    • NTU penalises 3 students over use of AI tools; they dispute university's findings
    • Australia social media teen ban software trial organisers say the tech works
    • Disney, Universal sue image creator Midjourney for copyright infringement
    • Initiative by IMDA, AI Verify Foundation tests AI accuracy, trustworthiness in real-world scenarios
    • Under siege? Helldivers 2's latest city to be invaded by aliens could be spoof of Singapore
    • Honor 400 Series launches in Singapore with first free in-device AI image-to-video tool

Money

Money
    • Up 4.3%: Singapore's economy grew in Q2 despite US tariff fears
    • US Senate passes aid, public broadcasting cuts in victory for Trump
    • Beneath China's resilient economy, a life of pay cuts and side hustles
    • France's PM wants to scrap 2 public holidays to help fix government finances
    • Retiring OCBC chief Helen Wong drives synergies among markets, business units, bank insiders say
    • Trump sets 19% tariff on Indonesia goods in latest deal, EU readies retaliation
    • US planes, cars and drinks on EU list for potential tariffs
    • China suffers $9.7b in losses from natural disasters in H1 2025
    • Best credit card promotions in Singapore (July 2025): Citibank, DBS, HSBC, UOB and more
    • Best bank offers in Singapore (July 2025): 50% cashback on public transit with Amex, win Business Class flights with HSBC and more

Latest

Latest
  • Daily roundup: Singapore rolls out National Day-themed trains and stations for 60th birthday — and other top stories today
  • School van in JB overturns after hitting uncovered manhole, 16 students injured
  • Hundreds of firefighters battling wildfire in southern France amid improved weather conditions
  • Taiwan will not provoke confrontation with China; does not seek conflict
  • Russia says Trump's new weapons pledge a signal for Ukraine to abandon peace efforts
  • China says successful US trade talks make return to tariff war unnecessary
  • China's spy agency attacks foreign efforts to 'steal' rare earths
  • Torrential rain pounds South Korea for third day as thousands take shelter
  • Vietnam warns of food supply disruptions as African swine fever spreads

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Thai woman allegedly extorts $15m from senior Buddhist monks over 3 years, gambles away almost everything
  • I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons
  • China mum jailed for selling 2 sons for over $14k to tip livestreamers, buy clothes
  • Organised crime groups pushing drug-laced vapes in Asia including Singapore: UN
  • Malaysian man strikes $4m lottery after betting on his, girlfriend's IC numbers for 3 years
  • Singaporean who defaulted on NS obligations used fake Malaysian passports at checkpoints over 800 times
  • JB mum forgets baby in car during shopping trip; cops, locksmith rescue infant
  • Lurid tale of China's cross-dressing 'red uncle' goes viral online
  • Climbers battle torrential waters after flash floods hit Mount Kinabalu; all 155 persons safe, says park
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.