Updated: 11/02/2013 15:45 | By Channel NewsAsia
Majority of drug abusers arrested are repeat offenders
SINGAPORE: The drug situation in Singapore remains challenging.
In the first half of this year, 1,790 drug abusers were arrested, higher than the 1,731 arrested in the same period a year ago.
Repeat abusers continue to form the majority of drug abusers arrested.
In the first half of this year, 70 per cent of the drug abusers were repeat abusers.
At the recent Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA) Volunteer Donor and Appreciation Nite, Senior Minister of State for Home and Foreign Affairs, Masagos Zulkifli said that without proper support, relapsing to a life of drugs is a real possibility for ex-offenders.
And therefore, SANA's programmes and its pool of volunteers play a crucial role in the road towards recovery and rehabilitation.
44-year-old Shaharuddin Mokhtar is an example of the success of SANA's counselling and rehabilitation programmes.
Less than 20 years ago, he was almost hanged for drug possession but today, he is a certified chef and a peer leader in SANA's programmes.
"SANA show us the way, they give us a path to change," said Shaharuddin. - CNA/fa
