65th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, Austria - Singapore's National Statement by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Communications and Information and Second Minister for Home Affairs

Mr Chair

1.   Singapore congratulates you on your appointment as Chair of the 65th CND.

Key Challenges

2.   The world’s drug problem remains a persistent challenge, and requires governments to step up domestic and international efforts.

Singapore’s Approach towards Drugs

3.   Singapore adopts a holistic and comprehensive strategy which has been successful in keeping our drug situation under control. Our strategy aims to reduce both drug supply and demand, through upstream preventive education, strict laws and rigorous enforcement, and effective rehabilitation. This strategy is underpinned by strong community partnerships and public support.

4.   Our strategy has been effective:

a.   Recent surveys conducted by the Singapore Central Narcotics Bureau showed that the majority of our youths – around 80% – are aware of the harms of drugs and support our zero tolerance stance against drugs.
b.   The number of abusers arrested each year has halved from over 6,000 in the 1990s to around 3,000 today.
c.   The two-year recidivism rate for drug abusers released from our Drug Rehabilitation Centres (DRCs) had reduced significantly, from 67.4% in 1996 to 24.5% for the 2019 release cohort.

5.   We will be sharing our preventive drug education approaches and early intervention strategies for at-risk individuals, at two side events. We welcome member states to join us for the discussions.

Singapore’s Bid for CND Membership

6.   Singapore recognises the CND as an important platform to foster international dialogue and coordinate joint action to address the drug problem.

7.   We have played an active role in supporting the work of the CND through:

a.   Our active contributions to global drug policy discourse; and
b.   Collaboration with the UNODC to provide technical assistance to other countries, to enhance capabilities to combat drug trafficking.

8.   At the 64th CND, Singapore announced our candidature for CND membership. We are committed to contributing more towards developing evidence-informed and effective global drug control policies. We are also committed to supporting capacity building efforts and sharing research findings on drug trends.

9.   I would like to take this opportunity to seek your support for Singapore’s CND membership bid for the term 2024 to 2027.

Conclusion

10.   Let me conclude by reaffirming Singapore’s commitment to the international drug control conventions and their effective implementation. We also reaffirm our support for the CND, as the UN body with prime responsibility for international drug control matters.

11.   We will continue to work constructively with the international community, to foster closer cooperation and dialogue, for a safer future for all our people.

12.   Thank you.