Singapore ends detention for first-time drug abusers who voluntarily seek help from narcotics agency
SINGAPORE, May 16 — First-time drug abusers in Singapore who voluntarily seek help from its Central Narcotics Bureau will no longer face detention at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre starting today.
According to Singapore’s CNA, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong reportedly said yesterday that such abusers will instead be placed under community drug supervision with mandatory case management for rehabilitation.
Tong was quoted as saying the change followed a review to “encourage more first-time abusers to come forward and seek help with their addiction”.
Under the current surrender regime, introduced in 2019, drug abusers are placed on a step-down regime based on CNB’s assessment of their risk levels, which can include community supervision or detention, the report said.
Tong reportedly said those seeking to overcome addiction would receive regular counselling in the community, involving psychology-based methods such as goal-setting and family engagement, along with regular hair or urine testing by CNB.
He also said Singapore’s drug situation remained “stable” but warned of “concerning trends”, including younger abusers and more drug-related deaths.
Citing official figures, CNA reported that more than half of new abusers arrested in the last three years were below 30, while new abusers below 20 rose 22 per cent between 2024 and 2025.
The report said Singapore recorded 68 drug-related deaths in 2025, up 15 per cent from 59 in 2024, while Asean will mark an annual Drug Victims Remembrance Day on June 26 from this year.
