Addressing Substance Abuse and Community Safety in Singapore

Mr. Shanmugam expressed serious concerns about individuals losing control when they engage in substance abuse, describing them as becoming vulnerable and akin to "zombies." He pointed out that many of these individuals are young people who have promising futures yet are risking everything through the use of harmful substances.

Addressing a question about how to approach the younger demographic of substance users, he reassured that the framework for Singapore's public education on drug abuse is already established at a young age. He insisted on the necessity of incorporating educational efforts in schools and involving parents, noting that the trend of younger children using vapes is of particular concern.

Mr. Shanmugam also drew comparisons between etomidate, a less commonly discussed drug, and more dangerous narcotics, referencing media reports about the adverse effects experienced by those who misuse etomidate. He warned that taking a lenient approach towards drugs could have devastating consequences that far exceed the current issues linked to etomidate.

Furthermore, he reiterated that Singapore will maintain its stringent policies against drug trafficking, including severe penalties such as the death penalty. Mr. Shanmugam affirmed that the government’s firm stance is aimed at preserving public safety and ensuring parents can raise their children without fear of drug-related issues, stating, “This is the right thing to do in the interest of Singaporeans.”

On a related note, Mr. Shanmugam was present at the launch of a new web series titled "What Would You Do When Terror Strikes," aimed at educating the public on responding to terrorist incidents and emphasizing community vigilance. This initiative is part of the SGSecure movement, which was introduced in 2016 to engage and prepare Singaporeans for potential terrorist threats, a need underscored by recent social experiments assessing public awareness of terrorism.