Fewer nabbed for drug abuse but more drugs seized in H1
By Hetty Musfirah | Posted: 16 August 2012 1411 hrs
SINGAPORE: Fewer drug abusers were nabbed in the first half of the year.
But more drugs were seized, according to the Central Narcotics Bureau's mid-year report released on Thursday.
In the first six months of the year, the total number of drug abusers arrested dipped slightly by two per cent compared to the same period last year - it dropped from 1,756 in 2011 to 1,712 in 2012.
The number of new drug abusers arrested also saw a decrease of about 9 per cent.
Heroin and methamphetamine continued to be the two most commonly abused drugs while those aged 40 and above remains the majority of abusers arrested, making nearly one in two of all abusers caught.
The Bureau also seized approximately S$9.3 million worth of drugs in the first half of the year.
This is about S$1.5 million more compared to last year.
Larger quantities of heroin, cannabis and methamphetamine were seized.
CNB said the inhalant abuse situation in Singapore also continued to show improvement.
The number of inhalant abusers arrested dropped from 95 in the first half of last year, to 60 in the first half of the year.
Even with the improvements, CNB said it remains vigilant as it's concerned about the local drug situation.
This taking into account a worsening regional drug situation and the large number of repeat drug abusers expected to be released over the next few years.
- CNA/ck
