"Singapore’s position on drugs ‘unyielding and clear’: Shanmugam
SINGAPORE: As a major transport and commercial hub, Singapore is vulnerable as a transit point and import market for drugs – and that is why the country has taken a tough line on drug offences, said Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Saturday (Sep 15).
“We have therefore adopted a position that protects our people – unyielding and clear. We don’t buy into this nonsense that drugs are good for you. If science says so, then okay. But we have not seen such scientific evidence as yet,” said Mr Shanmugam.
He was speaking at the Yellow Ribbon Community Project’s annual appreciation lunch. The organisation seeks to engage the community in helping ex-offenders reintegrate into society.
Mr Shanmugam highlighted the Unites States' experience in dealing with the drug problem and noted several reasons behind its opioid crisis.
Big pharmaceutical companies for instance are pushing addictive opioids irresponsibly, he said, citing the example of Purdue Pharma.
“Purdue deliberately marketed OxyContin for years as a harmless painkiller when in fact it is a powerful, addictive opioid,” he said.
The minister reiterated the costs to society in Singapore because of drugs.
Out of 9,000 offenders in the prison system, more than 80 per cent have drug antecedents, he said.
“For every offender, a family is suffering because of the offender’s drug abuse.”
Mr Shanmugam recalled a drug bust two weeks ago when a female drug abuser was arrested. She has a three-month-old daughter and was taking Ice during her pregnancy.
“Who knows what harm has already been caused to the baby’s health? Did this baby have a choice in the matter? Why does an innocent child have to pay for her mother’s irresponsible actions?"
“Volunteers like yourselves will now have to be there for the baby because her mother has failed her,” he said."
"Clear n Unyielding" position on drug is getting my 100% supports! There is no "if" n "but" abt this issue: if u traffic ir n beyond certain qty, u will be given death sentence! Period!! If u cobsumed it, u will b helped as much as possible in prison as sentenced. If u cannot respond to help n help yourself eventually, maybe u should do the right thing n "disappeard" fr the face of this world!!
Interesting that the ministers r quite clear n unyielding on this drug issue, they r less so with the top topic of the day: to keep or repeal 377A?
I wish they can b just as clear n Unyielding as un this case!!
ps: just got back fr Hkg SAR n avoid the super typhoon coming in by tonight or early next morning!! Hope the damages can b kept to the minimum!!
SINGAPORE: As a major transport and commercial hub, Singapore is vulnerable as a transit point and import market for drugs – and that is why the country has taken a tough line on drug offences, said Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Saturday (Sep 15).
“We have therefore adopted a position that protects our people – unyielding and clear. We don’t buy into this nonsense that drugs are good for you. If science says so, then okay. But we have not seen such scientific evidence as yet,” said Mr Shanmugam.
He was speaking at the Yellow Ribbon Community Project’s annual appreciation lunch. The organisation seeks to engage the community in helping ex-offenders reintegrate into society.
Mr Shanmugam highlighted the Unites States' experience in dealing with the drug problem and noted several reasons behind its opioid crisis.
Big pharmaceutical companies for instance are pushing addictive opioids irresponsibly, he said, citing the example of Purdue Pharma.
“Purdue deliberately marketed OxyContin for years as a harmless painkiller when in fact it is a powerful, addictive opioid,” he said.
The minister reiterated the costs to society in Singapore because of drugs.
Out of 9,000 offenders in the prison system, more than 80 per cent have drug antecedents, he said.
“For every offender, a family is suffering because of the offender’s drug abuse.”
Mr Shanmugam recalled a drug bust two weeks ago when a female drug abuser was arrested. She has a three-month-old daughter and was taking Ice during her pregnancy.
“Who knows what harm has already been caused to the baby’s health? Did this baby have a choice in the matter? Why does an innocent child have to pay for her mother’s irresponsible actions?"
“Volunteers like yourselves will now have to be there for the baby because her mother has failed her,” he said."
"Clear n Unyielding" position on drug is getting my 100% supports! There is no "if" n "but" abt this issue: if u traffic ir n beyond certain qty, u will be given death sentence! Period!! If u cobsumed it, u will b helped as much as possible in prison as sentenced. If u cannot respond to help n help yourself eventually, maybe u should do the right thing n "disappeard" fr the face of this world!!
Interesting that the ministers r quite clear n unyielding on this drug issue, they r less so with the top topic of the day: to keep or repeal 377A?
I wish they can b just as clear n Unyielding as un this case!!
ps: just got back fr Hkg SAR n avoid the super typhoon coming in by tonight or early next morning!! Hope the damages can b kept to the minimum!!
No comments:
Post a Comment