DETECTION OF

Dr Ho Tat Kin asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether "ice" or methamphetamine usage has been detected among drug abusers; and, if so, whether there are sufficient deterrents to prevent drug abusers from getting on to "ice".

The Minister for Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, "ice" is a crystallised form of methamphetamine which is usually consumed through smoking. The Central Narcotics Bureau has not detected any case of such drug abuse in Singapore.

Our laws, however, have adequate provisions to deal with this problem if it should surface here. Methamphetamine is a controlled drug listed under Class B of the First Schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act, the trafficking of which is punishable by jail sentence of at least three years and not more than 20 years and also to caning of at least three and not more than 10 strokes.

As for those caught abusing "ice", they can be admitted to the drug rehabilitation centre for treatment and rehabilitation. In addition, they are also liable to prosecu- tion in a court punishable upon conviction to a jail sentence of not more than 10 years or a fine of $20,000, or both.