S'pore joins new regional NGO coalition to tackle drug trafficking and abuse

Group will push for drug-free societies and stronger efforts to reduce demand for drugs

- Andrew Wong

Singapore will be part of a new regional coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the fight against drug trafficking and drug abuse.

The group, called the Asia-Pacific Confederation against Drugs (APCD), will push for the creation of drug-free societies and stronger efforts to reduce the demand for drugs.

The founding group will include members from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Hong Kong.

On May 15, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam announced the formation of the coalition and said Singapore will be represented by the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association.

Mr Shanmugam, who was accompanied by Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, was speaking at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Forum Against Drugs held at Furama RiverFront Hotel in Havelock Road.

More than 300 coalition members, NGOs, partners, overseas correctional officers and local government officials are expected to attend the forum, which is taking place from May 15 to 17.

Mr Shanmugam, who is also Law Minister, said the APCD will strengthen regional cooperation through joint programmes and speak up against the rising tide of liberal policies and misinformation on drugs.

He announced this in the wake of the rising threat of potent synthetic drugs like fentanyl.

He said Malaysia had detected traces of the opioid in its sewage systems in March, suggesting that locals were abusing the drug there.

Said Mr Shanmugam: "(Fentanyl) is 50 times more potent than heroin, and its effects have been devastating.