The Singapore Case Study
Singapore is a relatively drug-free country, built on a foundation of national consensus on zero tolerance for drug abuse and an integrated anti-drug strategy. Our drug abuse prevalence rate is ranked among the lowest internationally and one cannot find areas where drugs are openly sold or abused.
The Singapore drug situation has also been continually improving over the past decade. The number of drug abusers arrested has fallen from over 6,000 in 1994 to 1,925 in 2008. The number of new abusers arrested has also fallen significantly, from 1,341 in 1994, to 508 in 2008.
Our integrated strategy comprises Preventive Drug Education, Rigorous Enforcement, Treatment and Rehabilitation for addicts, and, Aftercare and Continued Rehabilitation for ex-addicts to reintegrate them into society.
Preventive Drug Education (PDE)
Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) is the premier law enforcement agency in Singapore entrusted with drug law enforcement and preventive education. The bureau conducts vigorous enforcement and a high profile Preventive Drug Education (PDE) programme.
Singapore's PDE approach is based on the theory of social inoculation which proposes that exposure to persuasive messages will reduce susceptibility to subsequent negative persuasions. Given the strong social influence in drug consumption, our PDE efforts are centered on helping youths to resist temptations to try drugs.
We promote a drug-free lifestyle by engaging schools and the community as strategic partners in the fight against drugs. We are also proactive in the planning and implementation of innovative and effective programmes to spread the anti-drug message.
The PDE Resource Kit
After decades, Singapore has reaped considerable success in our preventive drug outreach programme. We have condensed our experience into a resource kit as an easy reference. The kit contains our PDE programs and quick tips which PDE practitioners can adapt and use in their local contexts.
By sharing our experience, Singapore hopes to contribute to the international cause against the drug scourge. We have benefited from the experiences of others and by sharing our experience, we hope that more will be encouraged to embrace and emulate the value of PDE.
Lead the Way
Life's full of choices. Help them make the Right ones.
As the decision to take or refuse drugs lies with the individual, PDE imparts knowledge and guides people to make the right choices. The light that comes in through the window (which refers to the contents of the kit) depicts a guiding light, a role which preventive drug educators play in the community.
The PDE resource kit comes with 3 booklets: Talks and Exhibitions; Activities and Events; Resources and Publicity. Apart from featuring information on the concept and implementation of our initiatives, tips, feedback received and sample materials are included to make it a useful reference material.
Bridging the Gap: Talks and Exhibitions
There is often a gap in people's knowledge regarding drugs and their real dangers. In this booklet, we discuss how to bridge that gap.
Making an Impact: Activities and Events
Knowledge alone may be inadequate. In this second booklet, we reveal how to further engage our target audience to facilitate a deeper understanding of the anti-drug message.
Spreading the Word: Resources and Publicity
Impression can be short lived, it has to be refreshed. In this booklet, we show how we enhance retention of the anti-drug message.