STATEMENT BY HER EXCELLENCY AMBASSADOR KAREN TAN, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE PRINCIPAL-LEVEL INFORMAL BRIEFING TO MEMBER STATES ON UNITED NATIONS WORK ON THE WORLD DRUG PROBLEM, 20 NOV 2015

Mr Chairman,

          Singapore expresses its appreciation to the Deputy Secretary-General for convening this briefing, and to the panellists for their very important contributions to the panel.

2       The presentations today have emphasised that the global drug situation continues to pose a serious challenge. The illicit global drug trade has created millions of drug abuse victims, especially among the young; and has shattered families and communities. In many major cities around the world, entire neighbourhoods have been destroyed by drugs and drug-related crimes.

3       Singapore adopts a firm zero-tolerance stance against drugs to prevent drug abuse from taking root in our society. We have a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach to reducing both drug demand and supply. This approach includes preventive drug education, robust laws to deal with traffickers and recalcitrant drug addicts, effective enforcement efforts, and structured rehabilitation programmes with strong community support to reintegrate drug offenders into society.

4       Our drug control policies have worked for us. In 2014, less than 0.1% of the population was arrested for drug-related offences. We have created a safe environment for our children to grow up in – one without slums, drug peddlers on the streets, or syringes in our playgrounds.

5       As previous speakers have mentioned, the upcoming UN General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem (UNGASS) in April 2016 will be an important milestone in the global fight against drugs. The UNGASS will allow countries to take stock of our progress thus far, exchange views on best practices and new challenges, as well as reaffirm our commitment to continuing this fight.

6       Singapore believes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to drug control. Every country has the sovereign right to decide how best to tackle its own drug problem, within the framework of the three international drug control conventions. The UNGASS in 2016 must respect each country’s unique circumstances and individual approaches to tackling the drug problem.  While we understand that some have chosen a different approach, Singapore’s comprehensive, holistic, and zero-tolerance approach has worked for us. Our measures keep our people and our children safe from drugs.

7       Singapore’s experience with drugs has shown that the battle against drugs is worth fighting. We will continue to raise young people’s awareness about the harms and addictiveness of drugs, and actively dispel myths surrounding drugs. Singapore looks forward to a meaningful discussion at UNGASS 2016, and stands ready to work with the international community to build a drug-free world for our children and generations beyond. Thank you.