Written Reply by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen to Parliamentary Question on the Measures for Detection and Prevention of Abuse of Controlled Substances in Military Installations

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim: To ask the Minister for Defence what are the steps taken to detect and prevent the abuse of controlled substances or drugs in military installations or during training locally and overseas, particularly among full-time and operationally ready National Servicemen.

Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen:

The SAF maintains a policy that is aligned to our national policy of zero tolerance against drug abuse. The key planks of implementation are prevention and strict enforcement against drug abusers through testing, appropriate punishment and rehabilitation. Both planks are necessary to ensure a drug free culture within the SAF.

Prevention of drug abuse is achieved through education and encouraging those who have consumed illegal drugs to seek help to stop or treat their addiction. All recruits attend talks conducted by the SAF Counselling Centre (SCC) during their Basic Military Training (BMT) on the harmful effects of drugs. After BMT, anti-drug talks are conducted periodically by the SCC and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) at SAF camps and units. Before overseas exercises or postings, SAF personnel are briefed on and sternly reminded of the consequences for taking drugs overseas.

To avoid the harsh penalties of drug abuse, those who have consumed illegal drugs can choose to confess without being punished under the SAF Amnesty Scheme. Instead, these personnel will receive counselling and rehabilitation support to help them kick their habit and undergo regular testing. This scheme is only available to SAF soldiers once, after which normal penalties will apply for drug offences.

To monitor for drug abuse, urine tests are conducted across the SAF extensively. All enlistees undergo these urine tests during their BMT. UT are also conducted without notice in units, overseas bases and training locations, as well as on returning service personnel The SAF Military Police also conducts routine spot checks to ensure that illegal products, including controlled drugs, are not brought into SAF premises. The CNB also informs the SAF Military Police Command when SAF Personnel are arrested for drug offences.

Enforcement against SAF soldiers who are drug abusers is strict for deterrence. Any servicemen or women who test positive during urine screening will be charged. They are typically sentenced by the military courts to a minimum of 8 to 9 months detention in the SAF Detention Barracks. Known or suspected drug abusers who have self-confessed or had recent drug convictions, will be put on the Urine Test Regime (UTR) and drug counselling sessions, during which they will be screened up to three times a week for a period of up to six months. If they test positive during the period, they will be investigated for drug offences and potentially charged in court martial. This serves as both a deterrence and a form of rehabilitation to help them stay away from drugs.