DRUG PROBLEM (Assessment)

Dr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will give an assessment of the current drug problem and the steps which are being taken to strengthen the control of drug flow through the Woodlands check-points.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, the drug problem in Singapore is under control but I must inform the House that we are very concerned because the overall drug supply in this region continues to deteriorate. The Golden Triangle region (the border area formed by Burma, Laos and Thailand) where opium is produced remains a big threat. This is because bumper harvests have been recorded since 1981 and more opium is expected from that region. Neighbouring countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, have also reported increased seizure of narcotic drugs in 1988. Correspondingly, Singapore has also detected increased inflow of heroin last year.

Last year, the main drug of abuse was heroin, with 85% of addicts being on that drug. 5,451 drug addicts were arrested, of which 23% were identified as new addicts. We are also concerned with the increase in the proportion of Malay heroin addicts, especially the increase of new Malay heroin addicts. In 1983, they comprised some 40%, which increased to 69% in 1988. However, the incidence of school children and SAF military personnel abusing drugs is still very low.

Most of the drugs enter Singapore through the Woodlands Checkpoint. It is being smuggled by both Malaysian and Singaporean 'ant-traffickers'. The number of Malaysian traffickers detected has also increased over the last two years. In 1986, 46 were detected; in 1987, 68; and last year, 85.

To curb the inflow of drugs through the Woodlands Checkpoint, several measures have been taken. First, we have set up a Woodlands Task Force comprising officers from CNB, Customs, Police and Immigration to complement Customs' efforts in detecting the illegal smuggling of drugs. This Task Force uses narcotic detector dogs to help sniff out concealed drugs.

Secondly, we have installed an instant urine test (IUT) machine to detect drug addicts coming into Singapore. Some of the addicts are what I described as 'ant-traffickers', that is, they traffic in small quantities of drugs so as not to attract capital punishment. Confirmed addicts are admitted to the Drug Rehabilitation Centres for treatment. Malaysian addicts are refused entry. From March to December 1988, 164 Singaporeans were detected and 533 Malaysians were refused entry. A total of 26 traffickers were also detected at the Woodlands Checkpoint.

We are also stringent in issuing passports to ex-drug offenders and persons who are believed to want to travel for purposes of consuming drugs in Malaysia. In 1988, a total of 1,065 Singaporeans were denied passports.

Central Narcotics Bureau will purchase more instant urine test (IUT) machines for use in their island-wide operations to identify and ferret out drug addicts. Marine Police will also intensify their patrols around Singapore waters and Customs will intensify their checks at all entry points. Members will have read recently, a large consignment of heroin, some 23 kg, was seized by alert Customs officers at Clifford Pier.

To tackle the increasing number of Malay addicts, the Malay Anti-Drug Abuse Task Force working with other Malay/Muslim organizations is currently planning a strategy to tackle this problem. It will work very closely with my Ministry and SANA.

Finally, Sir, a 2-month anti-drug campaign will be launched later this year to create public awareness and educate parents on the dangers of drug abuse.

Dr Vasoo: Sir, could the Minister tell us the level of cooperation between Singa- pore and the neighbouring countries in the control of drug trafficking?

Prof. Jayakumar: Sir, I would describe the level of cooperation as excellent. All the countries in Asean region as well as other countries further away realize that, to combat drugs and drug trafficking, there has to be cooperation and, in particular, exchange of information on patterns of trafficking as well as exchange of intelligence on specific syndicates and their movements. In particular, I would like to say that there is excellent cooperation between the Cawangan Anti-Dadah of Malaysia and the Central Narcotics Bureau in Singapore. It is this close cooperation and exchange of information which has allowed and enabled the countries to keep the incidents of drug trafficking to manageable proportions.