Outreach programmes to warn teens of dangers of loan sharks
By Satish Cheney, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 24 November 2009 2038 hrs

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SINGAPORE: With proposed stiffer penalties for loan sharks, authorities plan to reach out to youths who are increasingly becoming runners for loan sharks.

The Home Affairs Ministry said there will be more outreach programmes to discourage and warn teenagers.

Wayward teenagers employed by loan sharks to be runners usually do the dirty work for quick-and-easy money.

But authorities want to make it clear that crime does not pay. They said efforts to discourage teens will involve tried-and-tested measures.

Keith It, deputy head, Specialised Crime, Criminal Investigation Department, said: "Some of the measures which we use in our anti-gang efforts include team building, programmes for the youths, educational talks, leadership skills. These are skill sets which can be ported over for the anti-loan sharking efforts."

Yong Fe Ping, senior assistant director, Preventive Education Unit, Central Narcotics Bureau, said: "We organise talks and exhibitions to reach out to students and the general public. These talks and exhibitions are conducted in schools, work places and other public areas."

When reaching out to youths, authorities said they need to be more creative, such as using new media tools to engage them. Counsellors who have worked with wayward teens said many become runners after getting into a gambling fix.

Charles Lee, senior counsellor, Tanjong Pagar Family Service Centre, said: "They get into illegal gambling themselves. Soccer betting and things like that. They are offered credit lines by an adult. So from there, they accumulate some debts and they are afraid to let their parents know."

Many agree the outreach programmes are vital but they said rehabilitation is also key.

Subhas Anandan, president, Association of Criminal Lawyers, said: "I don't believe the youth or first time offenders must be sent to jail for five, six years. He should be given a chance to rehabilitate, but when he doesn't, that's when, may be, you can be harsh with the repeat offender."

The proposed changes and plans are welcomed by many as the loan shark problem is something which has been in Singapore for many years. - CNA/vm