SINGAPORE: Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau and Prisons Department are going to get tougher on first- and second-time abusers of cannabis and cocaine.

From 1 August, these abusers will be sent to the Drug Rehabilitation Centres for rehabilitation.

Recalcitrant abusers will face a long-term imprisonment of at least five years and three strokes of the cane and a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment and six strokes of the cane if convicted on their third arrest.

Those who relapse upon their release will be sentenced to a minimum of seven years' and a maximum of 13 years' imprisonment, as well as a minimum of six and a maximum of 12 strokes of the cane.

This approach is similar to that for abusers of opiates, buprenorphine and synthetic drugs.

With the extension, the rehabilitation regime will cover all current commonly abused drugs in Singapore.

The treatment regime for cocaine and cannabis abusers will also be the same as that for other drug abusers.


- CNA/so