Singapore will be part of a new regional coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) aimed at combating drug trafficking and abuse.
The Asia-Pacific Confederation against Drugs (APCD) seeks to create drug-free societies and enhance drug demand reduction efforts across the region.
The APCD’s founding members include organisations from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.
Singapore will be represented by the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association.
The announcement was made on 15 May during the 2025 Asia-Pacific Forum Against Drugs, held at the Furama RiverFront Hotel in Havelock Road.
The forum, which runs from 15 to 17 May, brings together over 300 coalition members, international correctional officers, NGOs, and local officials.
Strengthening Regional and Global Cooperation
Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam, speaking at the forum, highlighted that the APCD would foster regional collaboration through joint programmes and provide a unified voice against the growing influence of liberal drug policies and the spread of misinformation.
He emphasised the escalating threat posed by synthetic drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine, and ketamine.
Shanmugam pointed out that Malaysia had detected traces of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin, in its sewage systems in March, indicating local abuse.
Shanmugam shared alarming statistics from the United States, where over 250,000 people died from fentanyl overdoses between 2018 and 2022, with 200 deaths occurring daily in 2022 alone.
He noted that the total number of fentanyl-related deaths has now surpassed the combined death toll of all major U.S. wars, including World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan.
Unlike traditional plant-based drugs, synthetic drugs can be manufactured in makeshift labs anywhere, making them especially difficult to control.
Myanmar, Shanmugam said, is now one of the largest global producers of synthetic drugs and a major hub for organised crime.
This situation, he warned, has serious implications for both the region and the world.
The Growing Threat of Cannabis Legalisation
Shanmugam also expressed concern about the global trend toward cannabis legalisation, which he believes is driving up demand.
A 2022 United Nations report estimated there were 228 million cannabis users worldwide.
Despite clear evidence linking cannabis use to irreversible brain damage and psychiatric disorders, commercial interests continue to push for its legalisation.
He criticised these efforts, drawing a parallel to the 1990s tobacco industry’s tactics of downplaying risks and targeting younger audiences.
“They ran advertisements of doctors saying smoking was good for health. They even introduced flavoured cigarettes to make it more appealing to the younger generation,” Shanmugam said.
Shanmugam also cited a recent Central Narcotics Bureau operation that seized cannabis-infused chocolate bars and candies, which were packaged in colourful wrappers with cartoon characters to appeal to children.
“They look innocent, they look enticing. But they cause immense harm. Imagine if children find and consume them,” he added.
Statistics from the Central Narcotics Bureau show that in 2024, more than half of new cannabis abusers arrested in Singapore were under the age of 30, indicating growing permissiveness among younger people towards the drug.
The report also revealed that methamphetamine, heroin, and cannabis were the most commonly abused drugs in the country that year.
Caution Against Uncontrolled Medicinal Cannabis
Shanmugam acknowledged that he had encountered arguments supporting cannabis for medicinal use during international forums, including at the United Nations.
However, he made it clear that he would only support cannabis use for medical purposes if recommended by a national medical association.
“I won’t support it if it is some company profiting from the use of cannabis that wants to legalise it without any controls, and is trying to do it in the form of candy to 10-year-olds,” he said.
Singapore’s Firm Anti-Drug Stance
Despite global trends, Singapore remains committed to its strict anti-drug policies.
Shanmugam reiterated that the death penalty is most commonly applied to drug traffickers in Singapore.
He explained that drug traffickers profit from the suffering of others, and the country’s clear laws serve as an effective deterrent.
“The global drug trade is a multibillion-dollar industry with powerful, vested interests. It exploits the vulnerable, corrupts state institutions, and undermines the will of governments,” he said.
Shanmugam concluded by emphasising the moral imperative of continuing the fight against drugs.
“Challenging as it may be, we have to press on because we have morality and right on our side, and it is the right thing to do.”
He added, “Every time we steer a person away from drugs, we save a life. And the lives of many more—their families, loved ones, and children.”
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