Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Top Three Reasons for Drug Consumption by First-time Offenders, by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law

Question:

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs for first-time offenders in Drug Rehabilitation Centres (DRCs) (a) what are the top three reasons they consume drugs; and (b) what is their median per capita household income.

Answer:

1.     The most commonly cited reasons for drug consumption by first-time offenders include (a) to cope with stress, (2) out of curiosity, and (3) due to peer pressure.

2.     Based on the data provided by first-time offenders admitted to DRC in 2017, the median monthly individual income is about S$1,600. We do not track the household income of drug offenders.