Rise in young drug abusers
By Alice Chia | Posted: 13 August 2012 2247 hrs
SINGAPORE: 123 drug abusers below the age of 18 were arrested last year.
This is more than double the number since 2008.
Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean said the latest figure comprised 4 per cent of the total of 3,265 drug abusers arrested.
In a written reply to Parliament, Mr Teo, who's also Deputy Prime Minister, said his ministry is concerned about the increasing number of young people abusing drugs.
To this end, the Central Narcotics Bureau will step up its preventive drug education outreach in post-secondary institutions and out-of-school youths.
Traffickers who target youths will face stiffer penalties.
A suite of measures will also be put in place to tighten supervision and improve the rehabilitation of young abusers.
- CNA/ck
