Third Committee

STATEMENT BY MR AW JIA JIE, DELEGATE TO THE 65th SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 106, ON INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL, THIRD COMMITTEE, 6 OCTOBER 2010

Mr Chairman,

1. At the outset, I would like to congratulate you and your Bureau on your appointments. My delegation assures you of our fullest support and cooperation.

2. The international community renewed its commitment to fight the illegal production and abuse of drugs at the High-level Segment of the 52nd UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, by setting 2019 as the target date for the elimination or significant reduction on five aspects of the drug problem. This is a realistic acknowledgement that much remains to be done to improve global drug control. Based on the 2010 World Drug Report, an alarming figure of up to 250 million people worldwide, aged between 15-64 years old, may have used illegal drugs at least once in 2008. More worrying is the significant finding that there are up to 38 million "problem drug users", who are defined as those "who inject drugs and/or considered dependent, facing serious social and health consequences as a result". Regions identified as major production centres and markets of illegal drugs still function and thrive, while drug trafficking is rampant across borders. In addition to illicit drugs, it was observed that the misuse of prescription drugs was a growing health problem in a number of countries.

3. These sobering trends reinforce the need to strengthen international and national efforts to combat the misuse of drugs. Singapore views the drug threat seriously and takes an uncompromising stand against drug abuse by adopting a policy of "zero tolerance". While we recognize that the drug situation in every country is unique and respect our friends' decision to employ strategies that they deem suitable to deal with the issue, we firmly believe that this problem is best tackled by preventing, and not reducing, the malignancy of drug abuse.

4. To this end, we have implemented a multi-pronged anti-drug strategy to prevent drug abuse from taking root in our society. Strict laws are put in place with strong deterrent penalties for drug traffickers as well as appropriate punishment to be meted out to recalcitrant drug abusers. These are manifest in the Misuse of Drugs Act, which is our main legislation for drug offences. Our laws are upheld via vigilant and vigorous multi-agency enforcement efforts led by the Central Narcotics Bureau. As for rehabilitation and aftercare aspects, drug abusers are required to undergo a mandatory rehabilitation regime to kick their addiction and offered vocational training and work opportunities to help reformed drug addicts re-integrate back into society. Our policies recognize the valuable assistance of addicts' families and the community to combat drugs. We actively involve the community through anti-drug messages and preventive education initiatives to increase public awareness, especially amongst our youth, of the perils of drug abuse and encourage them to lead a drug-free lifestyle. Some of the steps taken include regular anti-drug media campaigns and organized visits for youths-at-risk to Drug Rehabilitation Centres.

5. We are pleased to share that this comprehensive and integrated approach has been validated by practical success, and Singapore remains a relatively drug-free society. The number of drug abusers arrested has decreased significantly since 1994, with a drop of more than 69% to 1,883 in 2009. There are year on year decreases as well - the arrest figures for 2009 show a 2% decrease from the 1,925 abusers who were arrested in 2008. The arrest of new abusers arrested remained low at 553 in 2009. While repeat abusers continue to form the majority of all drug abusers arrested, the number of repeat abusers had declined by 6%. Major operations mounted by the Central Narcotics Bureau had also resulted in the break-up of 28 drug syndicates in 2009.

6. Drug trafficking and related crimes are transnational in nature. In this interconnected global community, the infrastructure and transportation systems set up to facilitate cross-border trade has also made it easier for the conduct of drug trafficking. Moreover, drug traffickers are using more ingenious methods of concealment to escape detection by border authorities. To keep up with the dynamic drug landscape, Singapore acknowledges the importance of international cooperation in law enforcement efforts. Singapore is party to all three multilateral Conventions aimed at fighting the drug problem, namely the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Our Central Narcotics Bureau cooperates actively with foreign law enforcement agencies on a bilateral basis in activities that range from the exchange of intelligence and information to joint investigations and operations. Furthermore, the agency maintains liaison contacts with the International Police Organisation (INTERPOL) and the World Customs Organisation's Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO), Asia and the Pacific office.

7. Singapore also places great emphasis on sharing our training expertise with our counterparts. For example, under the auspices of the Singapore Cooperation Programme and ASEAN Senior Officials on Drug Matters, the Singapore Central Narcotics Bureau and the Australian Federal Police co-hosted the 10th Integrated Narcotics Programme in Singapore from 22 - 26 March 2010, which was a training programme catered to participants from the ASEAN countries and Australia. Apart from capacity building in terms of sharing knowledge and best practices, good working relationships are forged and strengthened via such platforms, which enhances regional and international effectiveness in fighting the drug problem.

Mr Chairman,

8. Trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs continues to be a worldwide concern and its transnational nature necessitates strong regional and international cooperation. Singapore is committed to supporting the United Nations' efforts in fighting the scourge of drugs, and will continue to actively establish cooperative relations and work with our strategic partners to combat the drug problem on both the domestic and global fronts.

Thank you.

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