SINGAPORE, Feb. 11 -- The number of drug abusers under 20 arrested in Singapore rose sharply in 2024, with 126 new offenders in this age group detained, according to the city-state's Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) in its annual drug statistics report.
The Straits Times reported that the youngest was just 13 years old, significantly below the average onset age of 16, as found in a 2022 survey by the Institute of Mental Health.
CNB noted that 507 of the 966 new abusers arrested in 2024 were below 30, making up 52 per cent of all new cases.
This is a continuation of a trend observed in 2023 when 488 young abusers accounted for 51 per cent of new offenders.
CNB's acting director, Leon Chan was quoted describing the situation as worrying, ci...