CNB statistics
show glue sniffing remains a problem among the
young
SINGAPORE: Glue sniffing remains a constant problem among
the young, according to latest numbers from the Central Narcotics
Bureau (CNB).
There were 352 inhalant abusers arrested in the first half of this
year, a similar number compared to the same period last year.
63 per cent of those arrested were teenagers and among them 72 per
cent were students.
Glue sniffing has made a comeback in the last few years after
declining to an all-time low in 2005.
Since last year, the bureau has been working with shopkeepers to
clamp down on indiscriminate sale of inhalants to young
people.
It has also enlisted the Ministry of Education to reach out to
schools and parents to help prevent the problem.
Overall, the number of drug abusers arrested in the first six
months of 2008 has dipped 20 per cent to 954. This is compared to
1,192 arrested in the same time last year.
The decline can be attributed to the drop in the number of repeat
abusers, who continue to form the majority of arrests.
The bureau said most of these are liable for long term
imprisonment, and so are prevented from further abuse. -
CNA/vm