Committee of Supply 2025 debate, Day 3: Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim on preventing drug abuse and reintegrating ex-offenders

The government will continue to expand its efforts to address the rise in the number of young drug abusers in Singapore, said Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim. It will strengthen the network of over 1,000 DrugFreeSG Champions comprising educators and counsellors, as well as youths and healthcare workers. It will also continue to promote anti-drug awareness through Drug Victims' Remembrance Day. This year, the event will be held on May 16. The authorities will also continue to work with schools and parents to prevent drug abuse. Dr Faishal, who highlighted these efforts in parliament on Tuesday (Mar 4), also updated the House on initiatives to help prison inmates rehabilitate and reintegrate. Singapore Prison Service is conducting a trial of the family engagement model to strengthen the ability of inmates and their families in building and maintaining relationships through family reintegration programmes. Inmates will also attend support group sessions led by community partners and peer supporters who had completed the programme. This allows inmates to shift their identity away from being offenders to being role models, said Dr Faishal.