SINGAPORE: First-time drug abusers who voluntarily come forward to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for help will not be detained at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre, said Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong on Friday (May 15).
As part of a change to the surrender regime for drug abusers that will take effect on Saturday, first-time abusers will instead be placed on drug supervision in the community with mandatory case management for their rehabilitation.
Under the current surrender regime – in place since 2019 – drug abusers are placed on a “step-down regime” based on CNB’s risk assessment. This can include being placed only on drug supervision in the community or detention at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre, and all abusers have two surrender opportunities in their lifetime.
Speaking at this year’s Drug Victims Remembrance Day observance ceremony, Mr Tong said the change comes after a review to “encourage more first-time abusers to come forward and seek help with their addiction”.
“Drug abusers who want to wean off their drug addiction and live a drug-free life will be supported with regular counselling sessions in the community,” he added.
The sessions will “involve psychology-based methods such as goal-setting and family engagement, accompanied by regular hair or urine testing by CNB”, said Mr Tong, adding that the conditions of the current surrender regime will continue to apply.
