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Source:
www.cnb.gov.sg |
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TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION
REGIME AND LONG-TERM IMPRISONMENT FOR ABUSERS OF CANNABIS AND
COCAINE |
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From 1 August 2007, first and second-time
abusers of cannabis and cocaine will undergo a rehabilitation regime in
Drug Rehabilitation Centres (DRCs). |
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Recalcitrant abusers who are arrested for
the third time or more for consumption of these drugs will face a
Long-Term (LT) imprisonment regime. This is similar to the current
approach taken for abusers of opiates, buprenorphine and synthetic
drugs. |
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The aim of the treatment and rehabilitation
regime is to give first and second time abusers a chance at
rehabilitation without the stigmatisation of a criminal record. |
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The rehabilitation regime was, in the past,
available only for opiate abusers as they formed the overwhelming
majority of abusers arrested. |
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Following the extension of DRC
rehabilitation component and the Long-Term imprisonment regime to
synthetic drug abusers in July 2005, the Government has decided to
include cannabis and cocaine, the remaining two more commonly abused
drugs in Singapore, as part of the gradual process to include all drugs
under the DRC rehabilitation and Long-Term imprisonment regime. |
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With the extension, the rehabilitation
regime will cover all the current commonly abused drugs in Singapore. |
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The treatment regime for cocaine and
cannabis abusers will be similar to the current regime for drug
abusers which takes into account the individual abuser¡¯s needs,
addiction severity and readiness for change and treatment. |
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All abusers will be put through a
thorough classification and assessment process. The treatment
programmes focus on teaching abusers how to overcome addiction
behaviours. |
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The key components of the regime
include motivation to change, skills training, family-based
programmes and religious counselling. |
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Long-Term Imprisonment Regime |
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While a rehabilitative approach is
taken for first-time and second-time abusers, there is also a need
to punish recalcitrant abusers for persisting with their
drug-taking habits and to deter potential drug abusers from
falling into the drug trap. |
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Recalcitrant abusers with two previous
records for consumption of cannabis or cocaine or that of opiates,
synthetic drugs or buprenorphine who are arrested again for the
consumption of any of these drugs would be liable for long term
imprisonment under the Long Term (LT) Imprisonment Regime, if
convicted. |
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Under the LT imprisonment regime,
third-time abusers will be liable for Long Term Imprisonment 1
(LT1), and could face a minimum sentence of 5 years¡¯ imprisonment
and 3 strokes of the cane and a maximum sentence of 7 years¡¯
imprisonment and 6 strokes of the cane if convicted. |
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Those who relapse upon their release
from LT1 will be sentenced to a minimum of 7 years and a maximum
of 13 years¡¯ imprisonment, as well as a minimum of 6 and a maximum
of 12 strokes of the cane under LT2. |
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With this new approach, all abusers
will be subjected to the same regime regardless of whether they
abuse opiates, buprenorphine, synthetic drugs, cannabis or
cocaine. |
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The extension of the rehabilitation
programme and long term imprisonment regime to cannabis and
cocaine abusers is part of our comprehensive and multi-pronged
strategy to deal with the drug problem, which also include
proactive preventive drug education, strict laws and vigorous
enforcement. |
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We will continue with this
multi-pronged strategy in ensuring that the drug situation in
Singapore remains well under control. |
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SINGAPORE PRISON SERVICE
CENTRAL NARCOTICS
BUREAU
25
JULY 2007 |
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Source:
www.cnb.gov.sg News Release 25
Jul 2007 |
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Notice |
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FrontPage Edition: Thu 26 July 2007
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