DRUG ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi asked the Minister for Home Affairs what is the status of the problem of drug abuse and trafficking in Singapore, and what new or improved programmes are being made or planned to battle this menace.

The Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, the drug situation in Singapore, which reached epidemic proportions in 1976, is now contained as a result of six years of relentless effort in pursuing the Supply and Demand Reduction Strategies of Operation Ferret launched on 1st April 1977. We have succeeded in reducing our addict population by half and have broken up the internal illicit drug distribution sys- tem in Singapore. The large trafficking syndicate which used to operate in Singapore has been eradicated.

Heroin, the main drug consumed by our addicts, continued to be scarce in 1982. This was due to our enforcement action. Consequently, its street price remained high. The year saw a slight decrease in the number of drug offenders arrested, compared to 1981. A total of 4,106 offenders, including drug traffickers, was arrested in 1982 as against 4,590 in 1981, a decrease of 484 (or 10.5%). The number of newcomers showed a fairly constant figure, numbering 677 in 1982 as against 787 in 1981. 1982 also saw a slight decrease in the number of drug traffickers arrested - 450 as against 486 in 1981.

Of the 450 traffickers arrested in 1982, 399 (or 88.7%) were "ant traffickers" who now dominate the trafficking scene. These are traffickers who smuggle in small quantities of drugs across the Causeway into Singapore. They are mainly addicts themselves who push drugs to sustain their own addiction.

Although the drug situation is contained, it is by no means over. We are in close proximity to one of the biggest drug-producing areas in the world, The Golden Triangle, and there is free movement of people and goods through Singapore, If we relax in our vigilance, a situation similar to pre-April 1977 period can re-emerge.

A number of measures have been taken to combat the problem. The entry points have been strengthened. In particular, Central Narcotics Bureau has set up a Task Force at the Woodlands Checkpoint to complement Customs' efforts in detecting the illicit smuggling of drugs. Another measure taken is to deny passport facilities to drug traffickers. This will prevent them from resuming their nefarious activities across international boundaries. I should add that this measure has been accepted for implementation by our other ASEAN partners as well.

Within Singapore, the CNB is using more sophisticated techniques to gather information about traffickers and to identify them. Preventive education is being carried out by SANA through talks, exhibitions and forums. The Ministry of Educa- tion, in collaboration with the CNB, is introducing preventive drug education into the school curriculum. To drive home the message further, we are now in the midst of a 6-month National Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign.