Singapore Government Press Release

Media Division, Ministry of Information & The Arts, #36-00, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963, Tel: 3757794/5

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR HO PENG KEE SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR LAW AND HOME AFFAIRS AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY OF SCORE COUNSELLING CENTRE ON THURSDAY, 5 DECEMBER 1996 AT 10 AM AT CISCO CENTRE

1 Drug trafficking and abuse are matters of serious concern to all of us. In November 1993, I chaired a committee of officials from MHA, Prisons, CNB and SCORE to recommend measures to improve the drug situation in Singapore, with respect to heroin. The Committee recommended a package of co-ordinated, comprehensive and integrated measures in the areas of prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation.

2 The Government adopted these recommendations in early 1994. Various committees and a National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA) were formed to implement and finetune the recommendations as well as recommend new ones. I am pleased to see that much has been achieved since. We now have a co-ordinated strategy to deal with the problem - one that encompasses comprehensive preventive drug education, vigorous law enforcement, effective treatment programmes, deterrent sentences for repeat offenders and expanded aftercare services. These efforts constitute a good balance of tough and soft measures to combat the problem.

3 It appears that we have turned the corner. The drug situation, with respect to heroin, has improved. For example, the number of drug addicts arrested, especially new addicts, has decreased despite vigorous CNB enforcement. Following the decline in the total number of addicts arrested from 6165 in 1994 to 6065 in 1995, the figure displayed a further drop in the first half of this year. 2744 addicts were arrested compared to 3025 in the second half of 1995. For new addicts, the number dropped sharply from 1341 in 1994 to 978 in 1995. Also, the relapse rate of drug supervisees which was at a high of 81% in 1994, has decreased slightly to 77.5% in 1995.

4 Just as important as these statistics is the keen sense of working together amongst all involved. Whilst the Ministry of Home Affairs is in the driving seat, all, including NCADA, halfway houses, schools and Voluntary Aftercare Officers (VAOs) are on board, doing their part actively. The approach we have taken is a good example of how a strong partnership between the government and Singaporeans can succeed in addressing social problems. Well, we are on the right track. But does it mean we can relax and slow down in our efforts? Most certainly not. We must press on and indeed, step up our efforts.

5 The Government wants to help drug addicts to kick the drug habit and return to society's mainstream. It realises that recovering addicts are particularly vulnerable to relapse because of factors such as the absence of family support, the lack of education and vocational skills, employment problems, ineffective problem-solving skills, inadequate interpersonal skills and the inability to deal with negative emotions

6 Recognising the importance of aftercare services, MHA appointed SCORE as the agency to plan, implement and co-ordinate aftercare strategies to help recovering addicts stay away from drugs. One key initiative was the establishment of the SCORE Counselling Centre (SCC) in November 1995.

7 The mainstay of SCC's services is the Aftercare Counselling Programme (ACP). This programme is carried out by professionally-trained full-time counsellors. The ACP focuses on helping the recovering addict through individual, group, family and vocational counselling. In addition, other support services such as job placement, social, recreational and religious activities are also available, making up a comprehensive recovery plan for the addict. The factors that make an addict vulnerable to relapse are also addressed under the ACP.

8 Although SANA's Volunteer Aftercare Officers (VAOs) play an important role, they are too few in number. I understand that there are only 380 active VAOs counselling more than 9000 drug supervisees. As volunteers, these VAOs handle only a limited number of cases as they are constrained by family, work and personal commitments. There is thus a need for full-time counsellors to strengthen the work of these volunteers, working hand in hand to help recovering ex-addicts.

9 The SCC has a team of 22 qualified counsellors, making it the largest aftercare counselling centre for drug supervisees in Singapore. It also has a resource library to support the counsellors in their work as well as a counselling laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment. A Computerised Management Information System evaluates the ACP's effectiveness and a Client Database helps in monitoring client progress.

10 As of Nov 96, 530 drug supervisees have benefited from SCC's programmes. By the end of this month, SCORE counsellors would have handled about 600 clients. I am particularly encouraged by the response of the DRC inmates to the ACP. More than 500 drug supervisees have volunteered for the programme. This shows that SCC has convinced them that the ACP is an effective aftercare programme.

11 I understand that, far from resting on its laurels, SCC plans to counsel another 1,200 clients and their families annually for 1997 and 1998. It will step up recruitment to attain a full strength of 58 counsellors by 1998. SCC has also allocated $100,000 for the training and professional development of its counsellors in 1997. In addition, it is currently working towards accreditation by a professional body.

12 The road to recovery for addicts is a long and difficult one. They need all the help they can get. Based on SCC's track record in the past year and the ambitious plans for the future, I am confident that SCC is up to the task of helping the addicts. I wish you well and urge all counsellors to press on with determination and zeal in your important mission. Let me also urge all counsellees never to give up hope, rocky though the road may seem. The reward at the end of drug-free recovery phase is truly worth it.

13 On this note, it gives me great pleasure now to declare the SCORE Counselling Centre open.