1. The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB)’s Workplan Seminar 2023 was held on 3 May 2023 at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. This is an annual event organised by the CNB to share its priorities and initiatives for the coming work year.
2. Mr Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, was the Guest of Honour. He was joined by about 600 guests from the education, health, and social service sectors, as well as volunteers and advocates who have collaborated with CNB on anti-drug initiatives.
3. In his keynote address, Mr Teo spoke about how drugs are a threat to society, and highlighted the need for a suite of mutually reinforcing measures to keep Singapore drug-free. He explained how in Singapore, strong laws and enforcement are complemented by preventive drug education, and rehabilitation programmes for drug abusers. Mr Teo also shared key findings from the Health and Lifestyle Survey 2022, conducted by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). The survey found, in particular, that drug abusers started their habit at a young age. In this regard, Mr Teo called on community partners to work with CNB to educate the public, especially the young, on the harms of drugs and counter the misinformation and proliferation of liberal drug views.
4. Mr Teo and guests were shown exhibits of CNB’s current and future operational capabilities, such as the Layered Voice Analysis (LVA) which is being trialled by investigation officers to detect specific reactions from people being interviewed, and identify issues for further investigation. Other initiatives on display included CNB’s preventive education programmes and events, and community advocacy efforts. Adult and youth anti-drug advocates were involved in the exhibition to share with seminar participants about their anti-drug efforts.
Photo 1 (CNB): Mr Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, giving his keynote speech at the CNB Workplan Seminar 2023 on 3 May 2023.
Photos 2 and 3 (CNB): Mr Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of National Development, and Mr Sam Tee, Director CNB, together with strategic partners pledging their support for a drug-free Singapore at the CNB Workplan Seminar 2023 on 3 May 2023.
CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
3 May 2023
