Policy demands

• Stakeholders are demanded to work in creating a reformed society.

• law enforcement (punishment) must take a strict stand in fighting drugs.

• The primary source of news or information for young adults ranging from 18 to 30 is social media, controlling media regarding substance abuse and providing informative articles regarding the dangers of substance abuse in a very detailed way.

• Pharmaceutical companies are monitored and have a strict policy in the spreading of prescription drugs.

• As well as other institutions creating rehabilitative programs (Rehabilitation).

• Yearly drug tests done at universities and colleges, to deter the use of drugs.

• Young drug abusers 

• Increase of new drug abusers in Singapore (⅓ of drug offenders are new drug abusers) 

• Higher levels of drug trafficking

• Percentage of adolescents who perceive drugs as harmful has dropped  

• Inconsistent policy against drugs worldwide with some countries legalising drug for medical/ recreational use

  •  This may affect drug use and and access in singapore

• However, singapore still takes a no drug policy

• Singapore got school education about drugs 

• Co create projects to become anti drug advocates through media means (preventive drug education)

• Through effective public education, we aim to stem drug abuse upstream before it causes more social problems and misery to drug abusers and their families.”

Policy demands (brief description on what the policy will entail)

1. Target younger population 

• Education about drugs (i.e. harms and effects) 

  • Embedded into national education curriculum 

• Need to have training for teachers to teach curriculum + learn possible identifications of drugs users in school 

2. Targeting age 20 to 29 

• Restorative justice approaches for first time drug abusers 

  • Understanding coping methods and strains in their lives 

  • Possibly still in identity finding stage, may be succumbed to peer pressure

  • Implement restorative conferencing: Collaborate with tertiary education to engage young adults to identify potential risks/ protective factors of drug usage 

3. Technology → ease of access to drugs (e.g: through telegram)

• Have technology bots/ softwares to actively monitor these platforms and report suspicious interactions  

4. Implementing mental wellness initiatives for employees that encourage regular check-ins  (e.g. free counselling, buddy system) 

Agenda formation – Gather input from all the relevant stakeholders (e.g., government

officials, community leaders, activist groups, individuals, etc.

• Engage social workers working with youths in one to one surveys to gather insights about risk/protective factors of youth at-risk

• Mass online questionnaire survey to gather insights on risk/ protective factors of drug users among the vulnerable age group (18-30) + feasibility thoughts about the suggested policies above for relevant stakeholders (e.g. Tertiary educational institutes, government officials, community leaders, activist groups)

Policy demands: Sentencing is different for 21-year-olds and above and minors.
Agenda formation: Government, first-time drug abusers, organizations tackling drug addictions, antisocial friends who are drug dealers.

Social influence, family influence, and stressors affect why people take drugs.

Solution: Day Reporting Order (will have to undergo rehabilitation plan)

• we can also conduct research to find out why youths around the age group take drugs to figure out a solution