SINGAPORE: A doctor who took methamphetamine for about eight years, consuming the drugs on Saturdays so the effects would wear off in time for work on Monday, has been sanctioned by a disciplinary tribunal.
According to the grounds of decision published on Monday (Oct 13), Dr Leong Kok Cheong Darren was ordered to be de-registered as a fully registered practitioner under Part I of the Register of Medical Practitioners, which means he cannot practise medicine in Singapore.
He is allowed to apply for registration under Part II of the register, which comes with various conditions including providing the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) with a letter of undertaking, practising under a supervisor and attending drug rehabilitation for a period of time.
Dr Leong, whose age was not stated, was a medical practitioner since April 2006 and was practising at the department of sport and exercise medicine at Changi General Hospital (CGH) at the time of the offence.
In June this year, Dr Leong pleaded guilty to a charge under the Medical Registration Act for improper conduct which brought disrepute for the medical profession.
He was arrested by officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) in February 2023 at his home, for consuming methamphetamine and for possessing at least 2.45g of meth and drug-taking utensils.
He was committed to a drug rehabilitation centre from February to May in 2023.
