Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Trends Among Females who Abuse Drugs or Use Illegal Substances

Question:

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether there are any common trends among women who resort to abuse of drugs or use of illegal substances; and (b) what is the approach by the Central Narcotics Bureau to tackle the increase in use of illegal substances especially among young women and those with children.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1. The trends seen in arrested women drug abusers are similar to those of men drug abusers. The majority are Malays, and between the ages of 20 and 39 years old. The top three most commonly abused drugs are methamphetamine, heroin, and cannabis.

2. The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) adopts a gender-responsive and trauma-informed approach when working with women drug abusers who are detained for treatment and rehabilitation in the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC).

3. Under this approach, the staff are trained to take into account the women abusers’ past traumas, as well as tailor the programmes to address their specific risks and needs relating to drug abuse. For example, the Psychology-based Correctional Programmes delivered at the DRC help women abusers gain insights on how their relationships, such as intimate relationships, and past traumas may impact their drug use. They also learn to identify and replace maladaptive thinking about their relationships that led to substance use, as well as learn how to apply emotion regulation and self-management skills to better cope with challenges. This is in line with research which show that relationships are crucial for many women in both their pathway to drug abuse and to prevent re-offending.

4. This is in addition to other general interventions for all abusers such as family programmes to enhance their pro-social ties with their family, and education programmes to increase their employability.

5. SPS also provides upstream intervention for newly admitted women inmates with children under the age of 18 years. This programme, the Initiative for Incarcerated Mother and Children, is administered by the Singapore Aftercare Association and reaches out to women inmates whose children lack care or whose family is in need. With the inmate’s consent, trained social workers will conduct assessments of the family and refer them to appropriate community resources for assistance.

6. SPS also works with community partners like New Life Stories (NLS) and Women In Recovery Association (WIRA) to support women offenders. Strengthening the prosocial identity of women inmates as mothers is crucial for empowering them to take ownership of their rehabilitation and desistance. In partnership with NLS, SPS offers programmes to equip inmate mothers with positive parenting skills and strategies, and aid them in rebuilding their relationships with their children. WIRA runs support groups for women offenders in the DRC, and also follow up with them in the community to support their reintegration.