CNB Explains: What happens when the suspect is a young person?

CNB works closely with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) to ensure that additional support and intervention is provided. Measures put in place to ensure that children and youth are adequately supported during investigations include:

• Activating an Appropriate Adult (AA) to observe investigation interviews and provide support to the suspect. Family members do not attend police interviews with their child. However, AAs will be activated for suspects under 18 years old, as neutral parties to provide support to youths. AAs, who are independently trained volunteers managed by MSF-appointed service providers, are trained to provide emotional support and facilitate communication between the suspect and officers during the interview.

• Informing the parent of the suspect as soon as possible. Suspects are allowed to speak to their parents after their interview.

• CNB Investigation Officers (IOs) will also provide a general update on the investigation and its process to the suspect’s parent.

• Alerting MSF to send a case officer when CNB officers assess that the suspect has no appropriate caregiver.

• For triage interviews, which are conducted by MSF case officers, when suspects are caught. The interviews help to assess suspects’ suitability of going through Youth Enhanced Supervision (YES) casework (applies to those below 21 years old) which augments eligible youths’ mandatory reporting to CNB for constant monitoring (More information on YES can be found here).

Typically, suspects will be released on bail as soon as possible into the custody of their parent or caregiver. CNB does not have the legal powers to retain a suspect for more than 48 hours without charging the suspect in Court.

Suspects caught abusing drugs may also be sent to the DRC for treatment and rehabilitation. More on youths’ pathways of recovery here. Suspects involved in major cases which typically involve large quantities of drugs, may be charged in Court within 48hrs of their arrest and remanded for further investigation. Thereafter, except for instances where the subject is facing a non-bailable capital offence, the Court will decide on the conditions of bail for the subject.

Youth drug abuse a source of concern

Singapore’s law and our enforcement efforts work together with preventive drug education to keep the drug situation under control. However, with more permissive attitudes towards drug-taking, youth drug abuse is a source of concern. Between 2016-2020, there was a 10.1% rise in the total number of youth drug abusers¹ arrested. In addition, according to the Institute of Mental Health’s “2022 Health and Lifestyle Survey” where 6,509 randomly selected Singaporeans were surveyed, the mean age of onset of illicit drug consumption was 15.9 years old. Of which, 41.8% of those who had consumed drugs said they had started drug consumption before the age of 18 years old.

CNB has increased efforts to educate the public on the harms of drugs and counter misinformation. However, a community-wide effort is necessary in preventing youth drug abuse and keeping Singapore drug-free. Find out more here about how you can contribute to our community efforts.

¹Below 20 years old