DRUG ADDICTS (Treatment and rehabilitation)

Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the total number of drug addicts arrested in 1980, 1981 and 1982, and of these how many were arrested more than once; (b) what measures are being taken by the Drug Rehabilitation Centres to prevent drug addicts, who have been released from the Centres, from going back to drugs, besides the usual counselling and close supervision; (c) what are the reasons for the high percentage of recidivism of drug addicts and whether his Ministry has plans to overcome this problem; and (d) whether there are any medical aids to help the drug addicts released from the DRCs to overcome their dependence on drugs.

Prof. Jayakumar (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir,

(a) The total number of drug addicts arrested and admitted to the Drug Rehabilitation Centres from 1980 to 1982 is as follows:- 1980 1981 1982 Total no. of drug addicts arrested and admitted to DRC 1,802 2,263 2,008 No. detained more than once (i.e. on drug records) 1,256 1,755 1,624

(b) The treatment and rehabilitation programme is designed to treat both physical and psychological dependence on drugs. While in the DRCs, inmates are put through a five-stage treatment programme which starts with a week's detoxification, followed by recuperation, reorientation, physical exercises and workshop training. The regime is intended not only to rid them of their craving for drugs but also to inculcate in them the work ethic and a degree of social responsibility which will stand them in good stead when they are discharged from the centres. Counselling is also provided in the centres which include religious counselling. On discharge from the centres, most inmates go through the Day Release Scheme which is a half-way house concept aimed at assisting the ex-addict to reintegrate into the mainstream of society. While on the scheme, the ex-addict stays in a camp and employment is found for him in the private sector. He leaves the camp everyday for work outside and returns to the camp in the evening. He is paid market wages. On weekends he is allowed to go home. His urine is tested daily. On completion of Day Release which lasts six months, all ex-addicts are placed on compulsory 24-month supervision. jobs are found for them as well. Their urine is tested regularly to ensure that they do not relapse.

(c) When we talk of recidivism, we are referring to a study of a monthly cohort of drug supervisees placed on the 24-month supervision scheme whose progress is monitored throughout the 24 months. Anyone relapsing to drugs during the 24-month period is a recidivist. Using this criterion, we have gradually reduced our recidivism rate from 70% in 1977 to 40% in 1982. Although we have halved the addict population in the last six years, there will be a residual problem of hardcore addicts who have weak will power and tend to relapse repeatedly. We are trying to reduce the recidivism rate further. The treatment programme is being modified to suit the needs of these hardcore addicts. Trained professional counsellors will be recruited to provide intensive counselling in the DRCs. Here, the main problem is to break their psychological dependence on drugs and it is a more difficult task.

(d) Presently, the medical aids for the drug addicts are actually substitute drugs which are also addictive. Our treatment and rehabilitation policy is designed to condition the addict so that he can go through life without any form of drugs. We have therefore avoided using such medication in our drug treatment and rehabilitation programme.

Several western countries are experimenting with drug antagonists. These chemicals are supposedly to reduce or eliminate the desire to consume drugs. However, they are at the moment only at the experimental stage.

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam (Anson): Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the Minister of State, by way of a supplementary question, whether his Ministry would allow lady welfare workers from outside SANA to visit the women detainees at these drug centres? I have had this request conveyed to me. I am told that only women welfare workers from SANA are allowed to visit them and nobody else, and that these women detainees are complaining of boredom.

Prof. Jayakumar: Sir, I am not sure whether the persons who would like to visit the drug addicts are going there to counsel and rehabilitate or to relieve them of alleged boredom. But, Mr Speaker, Sir, let me say, in response to the Member for Anson, that in our attempts to rehabilitate and counsel the drug addicts to put them on the correct path and to reintegrate them into society, we would of course welcome all bona fide attempts and offers of assistance. But obviously when we are dealing with such a specialized problem of drug addiction for which there are specified methods of rehabilitation, we must ensure that all those who wish to have access to the drug addicts are properly trained, coordinated, and this is why we insist that they must go to SANA which is the body which has the experience in dealing with this matter. It is for this reason, and I think a very good reason, that we want all those who have made such offers to channel their assistance through SANA.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Sir, the Minister of State asked what would be the purpose for the visits. May I inform him that, as I understand it, they would go there to conduct classes in English or teach them some craft. May I know from the Minister of State whether I could ask these people to make their request to him?

Prof. Jayakumar: The answer is that if that is the offer of assistance, SANA would be very happy to get further particulars, and the Member for Anson should, in fact, give their names to SANA as soon as possible.

Mr Jeyaretnam: I will ask them to send their particulars to you.