The state's war on drugs marches on, even as the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) report arresting a total of 3,085 drug abusers last year, a 14 percent decrease from 2013.
In a summary about their performance for the past year, CNB estimated that they've seized $8.14 million worth of drugs in 2014, 60 percent lower than that seized in 2013. Cannabis seizures increased by about 125 percent, while meth confiscation decreased by about 72 percent.
Heroin and meth remain the two most commonly abused drugs here, with about 92 percent of all drug abusers arrested having abused either one. Cannabis consumption come in third as the most common drug abused in Singapore.
2014 also saw the CNB conducting 52 major operations — 20 of which were island-wide — and 21 drug syndicates being shut down.
However, CNB did note that despite the decrease in the number of drug abusers arrested and drugs seized, it does not insinuate that the drug situation has improved.
CNB Director Ng Ser Song notes his agency's concern that two-thirds of new abusers are below the age of 30 — meaning more young people are consuming drugs. He also expressed a consternation for increased production of heroin and meth overseas, along with the increasing acceptance for the decriminalisation of cannabis. "We must remain steadfast in our zero tolerance approach towards drugs and drug abuse; to ensure that our children grow up in a drug-free society," he asserts. "CNB calls on the community to continue to support us in the fight against the drug scourge."
Photo: Torben Hansen via Flickr
The state's war on drugs marches on, even as the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) report arresting a total of 3,085 drug abusers last year, a 14 percent decrease from 2013.
In a summary about their performance for the past year, CNB estimated that they've seized $8.14 million worth of drugs in 2014, 60 percent lower than that seized in 2013. Cannabis seizures increased by about 125 percent, while meth confiscation decreased by about 72 percent.
Heroin and meth remain the two most commonly abused drugs here, with about 92 percent of all drug abusers arrested having abused either one. Cannabis consumption come in third as the most common drug abused in Singapore.
2014 also saw the CNB conducting 52 major operations — 20 of which were island-wide — and 21 drug syndicates being shut down.
However, CNB did note that despite the decrease in the number of drug abusers arrested and drugs seized, it does not insinuate that the drug situation has improved.
CNB Director Ng Ser Song notes his agency's concern that two-thirds of new abusers are below the age of 30 — meaning more young people are consuming drugs. He also expressed a consternation for increased production of heroin and meth overseas, along with the increasing acceptance for the decriminalisation of cannabis. "We must remain steadfast in our zero tolerance approach towards drugs and drug abuse; to ensure that our children grow up in a drug-free society," he asserts. "CNB calls on the community to continue to support us in the fight against the drug scourge."
Photo: Torben Hansen via Flickr