There are worrisome trends internationally as of late. On Friday, The Earth Times published an article called "Glue-Sniffing Making a Comeback in Singapore". According to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), the number of inhalant problems have risen from 120 in 2005 to 644 in 2007, a jump of nearly five and half times in just two years.
Other statistics provided are causing alarm: seven in ten caught were under 20 years old, and four out of five were male. 65% were still in school.
According to S. Vijakumar, the CNB deputy director, the three most common reasons for abusing glue are boredom, peer pressure, and curiosity.
Glue sniffing has been a problem in the past, spiking in 1987 when 1,112 abusers were caught. According to TODAYonline, the Intoxicating Substances Act was passed in retaliation and caused the 18-year decline.
The consquences for sniffing glue can be six months of jail time and a maximum fine of 2,000 Singapore dollars ($2,700). An alternative sentence is six months of CNB counselling.
No comments:
Post a Comment