BY
Mishael Lee

Lead Designer

Hype Issue #59

Published on

August 23, 2024

Photo courtesy of Canva.

As reported by Channel News Asia, the number of new drug abusers under the age of 30 increased by 20% in just one year. In early February of this year, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) reported that three young girls had been arrested for abusing ice, following the arrest of “many traffickers” in 2023 as the CNB dismantled 25 drug syndicates. The impact of drug abuse extends beyond the individual abuser, often devastating families and communities as well.

Singapore is periodically jolted by alarming headlines about “worrying” surges in youth drug abuse. News outlets question the efficacy of anti-drug campaigns, while the government, in tandem with the CNB and youth-centric organisations, frantically devise new strategies to deter young people from drug abuse.

Yet, the reality for many youths like myself, who spent their formative years in a neighbourhood school, feels vastly different. The idea of drug abuse seems distant, a concept primarily confined to disciplinary talks and sensationalised news reports. “Methamphetamine” was as terrifying to us as “Voldemort” was to young Harry Potter fans.

This disconnect between the perceived reality of drug abuse and the intense public discourse creates a strange situation. Many young people, including myself, wonder if we are truly battling an imaginary enemy.

This uncertainty is a double-edged sword. It can fuel excessive fear of addiction, causing unnecessary anxiety. On the other hand, a dangerous curiosity chips at the back of their minds: “Maybe it’s not as harmful as they say. Can I control it?”

When Curiosity Kills the Cat: The Gateway to Drug Abuse

Peer pressure and avoiding problems can lead to drug abuse among youths. Photo courtesy of iStock.

This internal conflict can be a slippery slope, tempting inquisitive young minds to experiment and test boundaries. “One of the main reasons why youths in Singapore take drugs is actually curiosity,” Ms. Nuramira Rosli, a Counsellor at Youth Service @ Singapore Children’s Society affirmed.

An IMH survey released last year showed that more than one in five young people who have tried illicit substances say curiosity got the best of them. Yep, you read that right — pure curiosity led a whopping 21.6% to take the plunge. Peer pressure and the desire to run away from problems such as trauma, mental health issues, high levels of stress, and an incapacity to deal were two more prevalent reasons.

Ms. Hannah Chun, a former drug abuser and volunteer at halfway houses, echoes this view, suggesting that the inaccessibility of drugs here creates an allure, she comments. “People are hearing from social media, where others boast about recreational drug usage,” Chun stated.

In contrast, she points to countries where drugs are readily available, where the overt negative consequences deter experimentation. “Overseas, what we see is very different. The drug abusers roam the streets and the government does not step in to help at all,” she observed.

“If we address that curiosity by being open to talk about drugs, it helps in the preventive side,” Ms. Rosli asserted. “I think it also discourages them from trying [drugs] first.”

A Two-Way Street: Society’s Role in Addiction Recovery

True healing and recovery from drug abuse requires mutual understanding. Photo courtesy of iStock.

However, youthful curiosity is not the sole culprit. The importance of societal acceptance of drug abusers and recovering addicts has grown since the government announced last May that it was forming an inter-ministry committee to investigate how it can collaborate with parents, schools, the community, and other stakeholders to prevent youth drug abuse.

“I think the first thought is always to change, right? You need action,” Chun reflected, describing her recovery journey.

“When seeking a change of environment, the people around you may not be equipped to handle it,” she lamented. “So, that’s why I think many of us give up. We often feel misunderstood. We often have a lot of struggles. So, we feel that society is not giving us a chance.”

While Singapore uses a variety of traditional and digital channels to spread the anti-drug message, we must recognise that Preventive Drug Education (PDE) programmes cannot exist in a vacuum. We cannot assume that a youth will readily commit to stay drug-free after a PDE talk or programme. The conditions in society must facilitate a drug-free way of life.

However, while abusers often seek multiple chances from society, it is essential to recognise that mutual understanding is key to recovery. Abusers often feel misunderstood and use this as an excuse to give up, but society also lacks firsthand experience with addiction, leading to blame and judgement.

“I always tell [drug abusers], can you give people a chance?” Chun explained. “People have never been through what they’ve been through. So sometimes they end up with finger pointing, blaming, because they did this to me. This is why some abusers don’t want to go back to counselling sessions.”

Effective recovery requires a two-way effort: abusers must also give society a chance to understand, rather than solely expecting patience and acceptance. “It takes two hands to clap,” Chun re-asserted. 

Changing the way we discuss drug abuse with our youths 

It is no surprise that Singaporean youths are remarkably intelligent, often possessing a sophisticated understanding of all the fancy psychological terms and the ability to talk circles around most adults. However, this intelligence may paradoxically make efforts to stop drug usage more difficult, and how their critical thinking skills might lead them to question authority or conventional wisdom.

“I think Singaporean youths are very intelligent. They will joke about certain emotional issues. They are well-versed in knowing all the psychology terms, everything,” Chun observed. “It’s more like they don’t want to be controlled. They want to be convinced.”

Like Chun, Ms. Rosli also believes that open and honest communication, or authenticity, is crucial when engaging with youth about sensitive topics like drug abuse. “I think that’s what we need to do with our youth. To be able to share openly about the struggles that we have,” she acknowledged.

However, defining authenticity in conversations with youth about drug abuse is complex. While it is crucial to be open and honest, it is equally important to recognize that young people often approach information with a critical eye, especially when it comes from adults. Their perceptions can be influenced by various factors, including peer pressure, media, and personal experiences. Therefore, establishing trust and credibility is essential for effective communication.

“We cannot stop at just saying, drugs are wrong, stop, don’t use,” Ms. Rosli believes. “So [youths] might say certain things like, drugs are cool. Then you might have to say, oh, what about it is cool?”

Ultimately, creating a safe space is key to open conversations about drug abuse. While it is understood that drug abuse casts a wide net, affecting not just abusers but the loved ones and communities around them, adults need to show they genuinely care by being curious and open-minded. Asking questions without judgement can help young people feel heard and understood. When someone feels listened to, they are more likely to share their thoughts honestly. Remember, shutting down a conversation with judgmental remarks only creates distance.