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CNB reports error in drug arrests
By S Ramesh | Posted: 22 September 2011 1831 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's drug enforcement agency, Central Narcotics Bureau has discovered an error in the statistical computation of drug abuser arrest statistics for the period 2008 to 2010 after it moved to a new IT system.
The correct data now shows higher numbers of drug abusers for that period.
The mistakes were spotted sometime in March this year.
CNB's director, Ng Boon Gay has assured Singaporeans that while the error resulted in incomplete statistics reported previously, all individual cases of drug abuse were correctly dealt with and in accordance with the law.
He emphasised there's no miscarriage of justice as a result of the IT error in computing the figures.
Giving details at a news briefing on Thursday, CNB explained that the revised figures now show that the number of drug abusers arrested for the period 2008 to 2010 was on an upward trend instead of a downward trend.
For 2008, it was reported that 1,925 abusers had been arrested.
The correct figure for 2008 is now 2,537 arrests.
Likewise for 2009, the figure has now been revised from 1,883 to 2,616 arrests and for 2010 it is revised from 1,805 to 2,887 arrests.
CNB said new abusers formed 46 per cent of the arrests in 2010.
The agency also stressed that the mistake in computing the statistics did not affect its enforcement efforts.
CNB said over the past three years the number of raids conducted annually has gone up by 44 per cent from 3,400 in 2007 to 4,900 raids annually between 2008 to 2010.
Checks conducted at the immigration checkpoints too increased from 38,000 to 170,000.
CNB said looking ahead, it expects the number of abusers arrested to continue going up, given the worsening regional drug situation.
Also, more repeat drug abusers who are currently serving sentences under the long-term imprisonment regime are expected to be released upon completion of their sentences and CNB said this group has had a higher recidivism rate.
There is also the danger that repeat drug abusers may also influence new ones and so a more structured aftercare and supervision system is being explored for repeat abusers.
CNB has apologised to the public for the wrong computation of figures and said it takes full responsibility for the error.
New chairman for the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Law and Home Affairs, Mr Hri Kumar said the error in the CNB numbers was unfortunate.
He added that it is more important that Singapore tackles the larger problem facing it as the data makes clear that the drug menace is growing, and the rise in the numbers of first-time users is particularly alarming.
Mr Hri Kumar added:" We need the community to get involved in this fight - not just family, but schoolmates, teachers, friends, neighbours, colleagues and grassroots. Our love and support will help stop people turning to drugs, and to persuade current abusers that their lives will be better without drugs."
He said the GPC will continue to work with the Home Affairs Ministry and CNB, but it will need the continued support from all Singaporeans in the fight against drugs.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean has described the technical glitch which resulted in the under-reporting of drug cases by the Central Narcotics Bureau as a "serious error".
In a statement, Mr Teo said he had asked CNB to look into three areas. One, to make sure that all individual cases were dealt with correctly. Two, to correct the data collation method. And three, to review the anti-drug policy to ensure that it is appropriate
Mr Teo had also asked the CNB to let the public know about the situation so that authorities can get support for their anti-drug efforts. He noted the CNB has assured him that all concerns have been addressed.
He said CNB has also done a thorough audit of its computation process to make sure its reported data is accurate.
Mr Teo said: "Singapore has maintained a zero tolerance policy on drug abuse. Hence although the numbers were under-reported, there was no let up in anti-drug efforts. The number of raids conducted by CNB increased by 40 per cent between 2007 and 2010, and more resources had been put into anti-drug education.
"Nevertheless, we are facing a persistent drug problem with a rising trend in the numbers of drug abusers. This is a cause for concern and we should act firmly to address it. We will step up operations and also explore ways to enhance our preventive education targeting youths, and rehabilitation programmes targeting repeat offenders."
To ensure that the country's anti-drug measures are on the right track, Mr Teo said he has appointed Minister of State for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli to chair a task force on drugs, to look at the problem afresh and comprehensively.
The task force will review the current drug abuse situation, study trends and challenges as well as evaluate current programmes and recommend strategies to deal with the problem.
- CNA/cc/ac
