RISE IN ABUSE AND DISTRIBUTION OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS

Mr Zulkifli bin Baharudin asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether there has been a rise in the abuse and distribution of synthetic drugs and whether this is consistent with the general trend overseas involving increasing numbers of younger persons from more affluent backgrounds.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: The main synthetic drugs of abuse in Singapore are amphetamine-type stimulants, particularly "Ice" and "Ecstasy". There is no rise in the abuse and distribution of these drugs in Singapore. We had anticipated the problem and took action to nip it in the bud. There are also abusers of other synthetic drugs like hallucinogens and tranquilizers but the problem of their abuse is insignificant.

The number of "Ecstasy" abusers has dropped drastically from 661 in 1996 to 403 in 1997 and 180 last year. However, "Ice" abusers has increased from 5 abusers arrested in 1996, to 82 in 1997 and 117 last year. Overall, these abusers represent a small proportion of the total addict population. In 1996, "Ecstasy" and "Ice" abusers made up 12% (or 666 out of 5744) of the local addicts arrested. This fell to 10% (or 485 out of 4752) and 7% (or 297 out of 4502) respectively in 1997 and 1998.

The total amount of "Ecstasy" pills seized registered a large fall from about 54,000 in 1997, to about 2,200 in 1998. The total amount of "Ice" seized saw an increase from 90 g in 1997 to 1.71 kg in 1998. These seizures are still small compared to the seizures made for other drugs. For instance, in 1998, 139 kg and 22 kg of heroin and cannabis were seized respectively.

The improvement in the "Ecstasy" drug situation was a result of effective enforcement, deterrent 12 to 18 month custodial sentences given by the Courts, intensive preventive drug education, and tighter laws targeting "Ecstasy" traffickers.

As for "Ice", we had anticipated the potential problem it could pose and introduced the presumption clause and death penalty for "Ice" trafficking last year. CNB has also been targeting "Ice" trafficking syndicates in its enforcement actions and has intensified its publicity on the dangers of the drug.

There is no evidence that younger persons from more affluent backgrounds are taking synthetic drugs in Singapore. "Ecstasy" abusers are usually in their late 20s while "Ice" abusers are older, between 35 and 39 years of age. They are typically Chinese, male and employed in low skilled jobs.