editorial comment A Singaporean minister as an arbiter of cool. Why, next Mr. Wong will be guest editor of Vogue...

Synthetic drugs should not be viewed as "soft" lifestyle drugs, and therefore, their use seen as permissible and acceptable, or worse still, "cool" and "hip".

Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng warned that if a new generation of Singaporeans see synthetic drug use as acceptable, they'll be falling down a slippery slope.

Speaking at a national seminar organised to address the drug challenge, Mr Wong told law enforcement officers that Singapore could not expect to win tomorrow's war against drugs using yesterday's battle plans.

Over the last ten years, Singapore has waged a successful campaign against drug abuse, in particular, heroin.

From more than 6,000 drug abusers in 1994, the number has fallen significantly to less than a thousand last year.

This puts Singapore on the map as having one of the lowest prevalence of drug abuse in Asia and Europe.

But this success doesn't mean Singapore is letting up the effort against drugs.

Mr Wong said: "In fact, our work can never be over. Even though we have addressed the heroin problem, it doesn't mean it cannot return. Opiates remain the most abused drugs in Southeast Asia. The trafficking and abuse of amphetamine-type stimulants continue to be a major concern in the region."

Mr Wong also noted that three quarters of drug arrests are synthetic drug users.

He said the profiles of these users and the nature of their addiction are different from heroin.

Mr Wong said: "Someone told me recently of how a group of young people appear unmoved when told of the problems associated with drug abuse, this is not a good sign. I hope we do not see the development of a different attitude towards drug abuse."

As such, Mr Wong urged the more than 400 law enforcement officers and community leaders at the seminar to find new partners and approaches to tackle the changing drug scene. - CNA/ir

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