Lesson From Singapore’s ‘War on Drugs by Minister Shanmugam
Singapore’s Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam, on Wednesday, April 20, delivered a speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, about the country’s approach to drugs.
In a report by Straits Times, Shanmugam pointed out that his country will continue its approach against drugs until an evidence can be showed that a “different model works better”.
As what he claims, Shanmugam said that Singapore has created a “safe and secure environment.
“We are not very impressed with rhetoric alone. Good speeches are one thing. Enjoying safety and security, to the level I have identified – letting your 10-year-old child take public transport alone – that is different,” Shanmugam said.
With confidence, he called on to “anyone” to come and compare Singapore’s experiences to any other city. Also, he said that if there is a better way to eliminate drugs that would deliver a better outcome for citizens, Shanmugam said, that they will consider changing.
“If that cannot be done, then don’t ask us to change,” he added.
According to the Minister, they have achieved victory over drugs in Singapore because, according to him, they “fought a successful battle against drugs.”