I RECENTLY heard of an acquaintance who was put into a drug rehabilitation centre (DRC) for substance abuse. While I was surprised, my shock was tempered.
I am currently pursuing a degree at a local university, and have already heard of fellow schoolmates indulging in drugs like methamphetamine, ketamine and marijuana.
Many first-time offenders seek to alleviate stress through drug abuse, often instigated by "experienced" friends.
According to the Central Narcotics Bureau, the proportion of new drug abusers arrested last year increased over 2013.
Could something be done to cut off the supply? Drug traffickers who earn lucrative profits must be deterred.
I have also heard about the harsh conditions in the DRCs.
New offenders are detained for a minimum of six months. Visits by family or friends are capped at twice a month - a 30-minute televisit and a 20-minute face-to-face visit.
Only two written letters are allowed to be sent each month and all incoming and outgoing items have to be approved.
Offenders sleep on the floor and are given only basic toiletries. No food or snacks can be brought in, other than those ordered from the premises' machine, which are biscuits.
Isn't the treatment of these first-time offenders similar to inmates jailed for other crimes?
A senior counsellor from the National Addictions Management Service said that "drug addiction is a chronic relapsing brain disease that worsens over time" ("Three in 10 ex-addicts relapse within two years"; March 30).
If this is the case, wouldn't the harsh treatment of first-time offenders be overly onerous?
In addition, first-timers occasionally share cells with repeat offenders. Wouldn't they be influenced by these repeat offenders?
The March 30 report also stated that close to 30 per cent of former drug abusers go back to their old habits within two years of release.
Why is this happening? Could the stress of reintegrating into society have a role to play?
Do the authorities have any deadline or target for when Singapore will become a drug-free country?
Darren Neo
