Is Singapore's War on Drugs Here to Stay?
Who pays the hefty price?
BY: JERELYN LEE
BREAD LOVER
Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash
All across the world, the legalisation of drugs for recreational and medical purposes has become a rising trend. In Singapore however, a stringent stance on drugs remains. One of the four countries in the world being pro-death penalty, our stance is that of zero tolerance, curbing drug use and implementing crushing consequences to prevent Singaporeans from straying into drugs and substance abuse. As the countries around us adopt a less stringent stance on drugs, what are some challenges we face in the coming future? Is Singapore’s war on drugs here to stay?
Our history with drugs
Back in the 19th century, drug abuse was a prominent issue in Singapore, with opium being the key cause of drug addiction. Banned on 1 Feb 1946, the use of opium was illegal, and the consumption of drugs shifted to ‘hard drugs’ like cannabis and morphine in the 1970s. To counter the soaring cases revolving around drug addiction, in 1971, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) was set up. It was followed by SANA, which aims to spread awareness and educate Singaporeans on the harms of drug abuse.
Today, more frameworks are being introduced to provide counselling, resource material to educate the public, including children and youths, and even rehabilitative programmes for individuals recovering from substance abuse.
Laws in place
With frameworks and safeguards in place to help users recovering from substance abuse and the public get educated from young, there are also strict laws on drugs in Singapore. An individual can be detained if any form of allegations are raised that they are drug traffickers. Relaying information regarding drug use is strictly prohibited and deemed an offence.
Above all, anyone caught possessing over 500grams of drugs and trafficking certain amounts of drugs faces a mandatory death sentence. This law is one that has surfaced in recent years, for its ruthless brutality and dehumanisation.
Case studies
I: The execution of a man with intellectual disability
In 2010, a Malaysian citizen, Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam, was sentenced to death for bringing 42.7grams of heroin into Singapore. Despite countless appeals to overturn the sentence and a psychologist assessing Dharmalingam’s IQ to be 69, the intellectually disabled man was hanged.
The execution stirred an outcry, but the courts ruled that Dharmalingam was aware of his crime and there was no evidence showing decline in his mental condition.
II: Suicide of teen after facing drug charges
Arrested on 3 Feb 2021, Justin Lee, 17, took his own life on 16 Sept, after facing drug charges and an arrest. Alleged to have post-traumatic stress disorder from the stress of the case and interrogation, further investigation carried out by the Central Narcotics Bureau concluded that the teen had been treated ‘professionally’ and ‘fairly’ during the interrogation.
While this case was one pushed towards that of a rehabilitative nature, there remains stories told by The Transformative Justice Collective, sharing harrowing experiences of the dehumanisation they underwent.
Should Singapore’s drug laws be amended to give second chances?
Not every drug mule who carries drugs and gets caught in trafficking does it out of choice. Taking the wrong luggage out of unawareness, being forced to do it out of desperation, the laws in drugs in Singapore has made it such that even in cases where an individual has no physical contact, possessing drugs alone past the limit, warrants a mandatory death sentence. In such cases, should there be a leeway to give individuals a second chance?
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
It remains a challenge
I: No line is being drawn between ‘hard’ and ‘soft drugs’
In Singapore, there is no clear distinction made between ‘soft drugs’ and ‘hard drugs’. While some countries and states have deemed cannabis (marijuana) to fall under a ‘soft’ drug, Singapore deems it to be as bad and detrimental as heroin.
II: Lack of genuine awareness on substance abuse with media censorship
Is there enough awareness of the true damages of drugs and substance abuse when there is so much censorship in Singapore? Censorship is apparent across media platforms when it comes to substance abuse and detailed, informative drug use. IMDA has prohibited the showcase of such content.
Photo by Thibault Penin on Unsplash
Afterword
With drug use becoming more nuanced all over the world, is Singapore’s war on drugs here to stay? Will our stance change over time? While there are small steps taken like the amendment of laws giving slim exceptions to the mandatory death sentence for drug trafficking and giving repeat offenders the chance to rehabilitate, the drug policies in Singapore mostly remain unchanged. Bigger steps will need to be taken to embrace a more rehabilitative and compassionate stance that not only helps drug and substance abusers to improve their integration back into our society, but second chances for more.
JERELYN LEE | BREAD LOVER
Jerelyn Lee is an aspiring content creator, who is passionate about the Arts. An enthusiast in writing, drawing, photography and music, she is keen to capture and share moments, memories and life experiences.
While she is shy in nature, she is more than happy to talk about books, art, anime, music and the joys (woes, and lessons) in life.
