Thanks to a new, anonymous live chat system, young drug abusers can seek out help and advice. A report by The New Paper reveals that the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association launched the online portal on March 24, 2017, opening up yet another way for adolescents using drugs to gain information and support.

Targeting At-Risk Youth in Singapore

Last year, two-thirds of the drug abusers arrested by police were under 30 years old. According to the Central Narcotics Bureau of Singapore, the majority of drug abusers are between the ages of 20 and 29. Around 99 percent of these young users who are arrested have used cannabis, heroin, methamphetamines, or all three.

Creating a Path to Find Help

The new online chat service for drug abusers is staffed by 15 volunteer para-counsellors with backgrounds in social work or psychology, as well as two professional counsellors. The volunteers open the live chat feature from Mondays to Saturdays, from 6 p.m. to midnight.

If young people need to reach a counsellor after hours, they can send an email to stepup@sana.org.sg to ask questions. Within 24 hours, they will receive a response from a counsellor with the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA).

The portal holds other resources, including e-learning links with more information about the realities and dangers of drug abuse. Visitors to the portal can access these links and resources at any time.

Using the Power of Social Media

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) is also pioneering a new programme aimed to discourage drug abuse. This initiative recruits influencers on social media and partners with them to broadcast anti-drug messages among at-risk young people.

Battling the Pro-Drug Messages

When the new portal began operations, Senior Minister of State Desmond Lee added a warning to his launch speech. “As a backdrop to these local developments, it is worth reminding ourselves there is an active push by many groups internationally to legalise, commercialise and market the recreational use of drugs,” he said. “We also see a lot of half-truths or falsehoods about drug use circulating online on social media. The launch of SANA’s new brand identity is therefore quite timely.”

In association with the opening of the portal, SANA also unveiled its refreshed logo, a brand change designed to improve its level of engagement with ex-abusers and young people at risk of drug abuse.

Recognising the Importance of Therapy

While the new portal provided by the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association is a valuable tool, it doesn’t replace the need for professional counselling in Singapore. Regular sessions with an expert counsellor or an experienced Singapore psychiatrist are essential for someone who is battling a serious drug addiction.

If you are struggling with drug abuse, it’s time to recognise that you need some help to defeat the pull of the drugs. You need a caring, confidential environment where a trained professional can give you tips and practical solutions for kicking the habit. Call Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic today and ask us about our effective, holistic therapies and treatments that can help you get clean and stay clean.

News Feed from Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic

Source: The New Paper, March 25, 2017