Pubdate: Wed, 16 Jul 2014
Source: Straits Times (Singapore)
Copyright: 2014 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd.
Contact:  http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/429
Author: Victor Lye
Note: The writer is chairman of the National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA)
Page: 21

SINGAPORE MUST RESIST PRO-DRUG LOBBY

IN SINGAPORE, the National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA) marked 
World Drug Day on June 26 by reminding our children of the dangers of 
drugs. Alongside our anti-drug laws, enforcement officers and 
rehabilitative agencies, NCADA aims to build strong social resistance 
against drug abuse.

Like other anti-drug policymakers and community leaders across the 
globe, I am alarmed at the recent momentum of the pro-drug lobby.

Singapore's zero tolerance against drugs has worked well so far. But 
for a small, cosmopolitan and open country like Singapore, this is 
being eroded. We will have to join with like-minded partners to 
resist the pro-drug lobby for the sake of our children's future.

In particular, we must fight the cannabis legalisation agenda. The 
pro-drug arguments to legalise the drug trade are cunningly couched 
in eloquent socio-economic and health-based cost-benefit arguments. 
The ulterior motive is profit. Our children must know the truth is 
drugs are harmful no matter how you package it!

The effects of legalising cannabis will be far-reaching. Currently, 
chocolates and even soft drinks laced with cannabis are being 
advertised in the US states where cannabis has been legalised. 
Reports have surfaced of deaths and health consequences among 
children and teenagers due to consumption of cannabis-laced food and drinks.

The United Nations drug conventions of 1961, 1971 and 1988 prohibit 
the use, possession and supply of cannabis (also known as marijuana).

Under US federal law, marijuana is classified as a substance with 
high potential for dependency and no accepted medical use. Yet, 20 
states in America have allowed the medical use of cannabis. Colorado 
and Washington state have legalised the production, sale and 
consumption of cannabis.

US pop culture, celebrities' "medical" use of marijuana and pro-drug 
campaigners also promote the false notion that marijuana is harmless, 
to build a new multibillion-dollar drug market targeting our children 
and impressionable youth.

Singapore's drug situation remains challenging due to domestic and 
external factors.

Domestically, we need to watch for second-order effects of the 
estimated 2,000 repeat drug abusers released from long-term 
imprisonment last year and this year. Second-order effects refer 
mostly to effects from rejection of inmates by society and their 
families. Some may turn to old habits or even influence others to 
take up the drug habit.

Further, we need to guard against the acceptance of more liberal 
attitudes by our youth towards drugs. The latest NCADA Youth 
Perception Survey found that while our youth still regard drugs and 
drug abuse negatively, the older youngsters aged between 17 and 21 
appear more susceptible to liberal attitudes towards drugs.

Externally, Singapore has to contend with the proliferation of drugs 
regionally and the emergence of new psychoactive substances. In 
countries where the authorities are struggling to contain the drug 
scourge, organisations with a more liberal social stance have opted 
for "harm reduction" where health concerns such as the spread of HIV 
through sharing of needles have outweighed the harm of drug abuse.

Singapore professes "harm prevention" and upholds zero tolerance 
against drugs. What counts is the kind of society that we want our 
children to grow up in.

I attended the World Forum Against Drugs in Stockholm recently. 
Initially, I was fired up to defend Singapore's anti-drug stance, 
thinking we were in the minority. Instead, I was heartened to find 
many government agencies and non-governmental organisations 
presenting scientific evidence to debunk the pro-drug lobby. What 
struck me was the heavy Euro-US centric presence. This was not 
surprising as the forum was held in conjunction with the "Europe 
Cities Against Drugs" Forum where mayors of European cities who 
oppose the pro-drug lobby gathered to share best practices and 
concerns. Many delegates expressed admiration for Singapore's strong 
anti-drug stance and well-managed drug situation. Singapore has a 
stake in this international anti-drug effort. NCADA will engage its 
counterparts in Asean and its dialogue partners to form a unified 
stance with international anti-drug partners to resist the pro-drug lobby.

The United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) is 
scheduled for 2016. The previous session in 2009 focused on achieving 
a drug-free world. The pro-drug lobby is well organised and amply 
funded to push for a rethink of this zero-tolerance approach.

The pro-drug lobbies in Europe, Latin America and the US are intent 
on removing the prohibitive UN provisions against drugs.

There is an urgent need for governments and civil society to unite in 
an international coalition of like-minded anti-drug advocates to 
oppose the pro-drug lobby, and ensure a robust position at the 2016 UNGASS.

Even as NCADA works with regional partners, I am confident that 
Singaporeans support our zero tolerance stance on drugs. Ultimately, 
we are fighting for the right of our children to grow up in a 
drug-free Singapore.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom