Singapore Stands Firm on Tough Drug Laws Amidst Global Shifts

Despite growing international tolerance and calls for reform, Singapore will maintain its stringent approach to drug abuse, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam affirmed on March 12, 2026, at the Community Resilience Against Drug Abuse Roundtable. This commitment comes as global drug use continues to rise, according to the 2025 World Drug Report.

Global Drug Use on the Rise

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that an estimated 292 million people worldwide used drugs in 2022, a significant increase to approximately 316 million in 2023. Shanmugam noted that while many nations are considering drug legalization or adopting more lenient policies, Singapore is doubling down on its existing framework.

Strong Public Support for Singapore’s Approach

This stance is supported by strong public opinion within Singapore. The 2025 National Drug Perception Survey revealed that nearly 93% of youth and over 96% of adults believe the country should maintain its tough laws to combat drug abuse. Support among young people has actually increased since the last survey in 2023. The survey also indicated that more young people recognize the harms associated with drug use, with 87% acknowledging the risks in 2025, compared to 83% in 2023 and 90% of adults.

Deterrent Effect of the Death Penalty

Singapore’s policies include the death penalty for drug trafficking offenses. Minister Shanmugam defended this practice, citing a 2024 study that suggests it serves as a deterrent. The study found that over 84% of respondents in the region believe the death penalty discourages drug trafficking into Singapore, and more than 82% consider it more effective than life imprisonment. A public perception survey conducted in 2025 showed nearly 87% agreement that the death penalty should be reserved for the most serious crimes, including drug trafficking – an increase from 77% in 2023.

Rising Drug Abuse Among Youth

Despite the stringent laws, authorities have observed an increase in drug abuse among younger demographics. The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) reported a 17% increase in new drug abusers arrested in 2025, reaching 1,165 individuals. Notably, half of these new abusers were under the age of 30, and the number of new abusers under 20 years old rose by 22% compared to 2024. The youngest individual arrested for a drug-related offense was 12 years old.

Building Community Resilience

The Community Resilience Against Drug Abuse Roundtable 2026, organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Home Team Psychology Division (HTPD), aims to develop a model for strengthening community resilience against drug abuse. This model focuses on reducing both drug initiation and relapse rates. Dr. Jasmin Kaur, a senior principal psychologist at HTPD, emphasized that resilience isn’t simply about abstinence, but about creating environments where drug abuse is less justifiable and sustained abstinence is more achievable. The event also saw the launch of “Island of Hope: Psychological Perspectives on Drug Harm Prevention,” a book exploring the role of psychological principles in drug harm prevention.

Evidence-Based Policies

Shanmugam reiterated that Singapore’s anti-drug policies are based on evidence and that the evidence supports the effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent. He stated, “Our duty is not to listen to others, but to do right by Singaporeans. Even if it looks like we are out of step with other parts of the world.”