DrugFreeSG: Home

We are here for you.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug abuse or feels vulnerable to its influence, do not hesitate to reach out to us:

NP Counselling Helpline: 6460-6380

NP Counselling Support Email: ecounsel@np.edu.sg

Narcotics Anonymous Singapore Helpline: 8405-8432

Seeking help is a courageous step towards a healthier and brighter future. Your well-being matters, and you are not alone in this journey.

CANNABIS

AKA Marijuana, Weed, Chronic, Herb, Skunk, Dank, Pot, Reefer, Grass, Ganja, Bud

Description

• The narcotic component of Cannabis comes from the flower buds of the Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica hemp plant.
• Cannabis is consumed by smoking it in hand-rolled cigarettes (known as joints, or spliffs when mixed with tobacco), smoking it through a glass pipe (known as a bowl), extracting the resin and smoking it as Hashish, or vapourising it in a vape pen. When burned, it produces a pungent aroma that lingers on hair and clothing.
• The trichomes of the Cannabis flower contain Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive compound which, when vapourised through heat and absorbed by the body's mucous membranes, affects one’s mood – causing an overwhelming sense of euphoria. By rapidly depleting the brain of serotonin and dopamine, it may also increase feelings of anxiety, disorientation, or paranoia.

Effects of short-term use

• Impaired short-term memory, making it difficult to learn and to retain information.
• Impaired motor co-ordination, interfering with driving skills and increasing the risk of injuries.
• In high doses, it can cause symptoms of paranoia and psychosis.

Effects of long-term or heavy use

• Addiction. The earlier one begins to abuse Cannabis, the higher the risk of addiction.
• Altered brain development. Adults who smoke cannabis regularly during adolescence have impaired neural connectivity (fewer fibres) in specific brain regions.
• Cognitive impairment, with lower IQ among those who were frequent users in adolescence.
• Symptoms of chronic bronchitis.
• Poor education outcome, with increased likelihood of dropping out of school.

Sources

Central Narcotics Bureau. (n.d.). Drugs and Inhalants.
https://www.cnb.gov.sg/drug-information/drugs-and-inhalants

Begum, Jabeen. (2024, January 12). How Pot Affects Your Mind and Body. WebMD.
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/marijuana-use-and-its-effects

LaNeve, Nicole. (2023, November 21). Popular Drug Slang and Street Names Used by Teens. The Recovery Village.
https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/drug-addiction/street-names-for-drugs/

Bloomfield, M. A., Ashok, A. H., Volkow, N. D., & Howes, O. D. (2016). The effects of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol on the dopamine system. Nature, 539(7629), 369–377. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature20153

COCAINE

AKA Coke, Bump, Blow, Line, Rail, Nose Candy, Booger Sugar

Description

• Cocaine is processed from the leaves of the Erthroxylum coca plant. In its pure form, Cocaine is a white crystalline powder and it is inhaled in powder form, smoked in freebase form (Crack Cocaine), or injected into the body in liquid form.
• Cocaine abuse overstimulates brain function, heightens physical and mental sensations, numbs the respiratory system, and produces intense cravings for more of the drug.
• Cocaine is both a central nervous system stimulant and an anaesthetic. The chronic Cocaine abuser is socially dangerous because of the mental abnormalities caused by the drug.

Effects and Dangers

• Increased heart rate
• Aggressive behaviour
• Irritability
• Nausea, shaking, blurred vision, and hallucinations

Withdrawal Symptoms

• Anxiety, depression, anger, and jittery feelings
• Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of desire to do things

Sources

Central Narcotics Bureau. (n.d.). Drugs and Inhalants.
https://www.cnb.gov.sg/drug-information/drugs-and-inhalants

LaNeve, Nicole. (2023, November 21). Popular Drug Slang and Street Names Used by Teens. The Recovery Village.
https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/drug-addiction/street-names-for-drugs/

HEROIN

AKA Dope, Smack, H, Brown, Junk

Description

• Heroin is a powerful and very addictive drug that comes in granular, powder, or solution form. Heroin No. 4 is white in colour while Heroin No. 3 is more yellowish.
• Abusing Heroin produces an immediate sensation of intense calm and euphoria, followed by long periods of painful and excruciating withdrawal.
• Heroin abusers feel dull and tired very easily. They cannot work properly as they are not able to concentrate.

Effects and Dangers

• Lowered heart rate and respiration
• Damage to lungs, kidneys, and liver
• Dull feeling and tiredness
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Constipation

Withdrawal Symptoms

• Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
• Watery eyes and runny nose
• Irritable and jittery feelings
• Tremors and bodily cramps
• Chills and sweating
• Diarrhoea and vomiting

Sources

Central Narcotics Bureau. (n.d.). Drugs and Inhalants.
https://www.cnb.gov.sg/drug-information/drugs-and-inhalants

LaNeve, Nicole. (2023, November 21). Popular Drug Slang and Street Names Used by Teens. The Recovery Village.
https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/drug-addiction/street-names-for-drugs/

ECSTASY

AKA Molly, XTC, X, Eve, E, Go, Skittles, Sweets

Description

• Ecstasy consists of tablets containing MDMA, MDEA and MDA. These tablets come in different colours with different logos stamped on them. They are often sold in discos and night joints to people who take them to dance all night. 
• Ecstasy enhances the release of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain and blocks their reuptake. These neurotransmitters play an important role in the regulation of mood, sleep, pain, appetite, and other behaviours. The excess release of these brain chemicals by Ecstasy causes the mood-elevating effects and depletes the brain of them, disrupting normal brain function.
• Other controlled drugs such as Ketamine and Methamphetamine, and chemicals such as paracetamol and calcium carbonate are often mixed with Ecstasy. This may unintentionally cause adverse reactions in the body.

Effects and Dangers

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Jaw clenching, teeth grinding, and uncontrollable shaking
• Kidney, liver, and brain damage
• Long term memory loss
• Chills, sweating, and vomiting
• Inability to think, see, and co-ordinate properly
• Hallucinations

Withdrawal Symptoms

• Anxiety, depression, and uncontrollable fear
• Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
• Loss of control of senses and reality

Sources

Central Narcotics Bureau. (n.d.). Drugs and Inhalants.
https://www.cnb.gov.sg/drug-information/drugs-and-inhalants

LaNeve, Nicole. (2023, November 21). Popular Drug Slang and Street Names Used by Teens. The Recovery Village.
https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/drug-addiction/street-names-for-drugs/

NIDA. (2021, April 13). What are MDMA’s effects on the brain?.
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/mdma-ecstasy-abuse/what-are-mdmas-effects-on-brain

NEW PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES (NPS)

AKA Spice, K2, Bath Salts, Kronic, Bromo-Dragonfly, Mushroom, Synthetic Cannabis, BZP, TFMPP, Mephedrone

Description

• New psychoactive substances (NPS) refer to substances that mimic the effects of other controlled drugs, such as Cannabis, Cocaine, Ecstasy, Methamphetamine, or Heroin.
• NPS are produced by introducing slight modifications to the chemical structures of existing NPS and controlled drugs to create new variations that are not yet controlled.

Negative effects

NPS have unknown, dangerous toxicology effects and are as addictive and harmful as controlled drugs. Abuse can lead to:

• Severe intoxications
• Severe toxic reaction leading to death
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Adverse cardiovascular problems
• Renal failure
• Seizures

Sources

Central Narcotics Bureau. (n.d.). Drugs and Inhalants.
https://www.cnb.gov.sg/drug-information/drugs-and-inhalants

LaNeve, Nicole. (2023, November 21). Popular Drug Slang and Street Names Used by Teens. The Recovery Village.
https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/drug-addiction/street-names-for-drugs/

METHAMPHETAMINE

AKA Ice, Glass, Crystal, Speed, Quartz, Ice Cream, Hirropon, Yaba, Shabu

Description

• Methamphetamine in its crystallised form is known as methamphetamine hydrochloride. It usually comes in the form of a colourless and odourless crystal that resembles glass fragments or shiny blue-white "rocks" of various sizes. This explains why it is more commonly known as 'Ice' in Singapore.
• Methamphetamine also comes in tablet form. In this form, it is also known as 'Crazy Horse Pill' or 'Ya ba'. Most of the 'Ya ba' tablets found in Singapore are embossed with the 'WY' logo and are green or orange in colour.
• Methamphetamine is highly addictive and is a strong stimulant. It has a very strong effect on the central nervous system.

Withdrawal symptoms / Side effects

• Disorientation, apathy, confused exhaustion
• Strong psychological dependence
• Psychosis
• Depression
• Damage to the brain similar to Alzheimer's disease, stroke and epilepsy
• Aggression and violent behaviour
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Insomnia
• Auditory hallucinations

Negative effects (Physical)

• Permanent damage to blood vessels of heart and brain, high blood pressure leading to heart attacks, strokes and death
• Liver, kidney and lung damage
• Destruction of tissues in nose if sniffed
• Respiratory (breathing) problems if smoked
• Infectious diseases and abscesses if injected
• Malnutrition, weight loss
• Severe tooth decay

Sources

Central Narcotics Bureau. (n.d.). Drugs and Inhalants.
https://www.cnb.gov.sg/drug-information/drugs-and-inhalants

LaNeve, Nicole. (2023, November 21). Popular Drug Slang and Street Names Used by Teens. The Recovery Village.
https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/drug-addiction/street-names-for-drugs/

Know Cannabis
The so-called medical benefits and alleged harmlessness of cannabis have been in the spotlight, with some countries legalising the medical, and even recreational use of cannabis. It is important to differentiate between products containing unprocessed or raw cannabis and pharmaceutical products containing cannabinoids.

Staying Free From New Psychoactive Substances

In Singapore, NPS is one of the three most abused types of drugs since 2018. In 2019, NPS overtook cannabis as the second most commonly abused type of drugs amongst new abusers arrested locally. This remains an area of concern.

Preventive Drug Education Toolkit

This toolkit, comprising a handbook, a set of frequently asked questions, and a deck of presentation slides, is designed to help you share within your peers and spheres of influence what we as a community can do to help Singapore remain drug-free.

The Choice Within

DrugFreeSG Video Competition 2023 1st-Place Winner (Young Adults Category) Team: LEMONCAGE

The protagonist, John, faces a significant decision when offered a drug by a friend. As he contemplates his choice, the video takes us through his imaginative journey, from initial excitement to the potential negative consequences. Ultimately, John decides not to take the drug, realizing the fleeting pleasure isn't worth the possible harm. 

Bridge Over Troubled Waters

DrugFreeSG Video Competition 2023 1st-Place Winner (Youths Category) Team: Whitley Sec Sch Drama Club Team 2 (representing Whitley Secondary School)

A wayward youth succumbs to the temptations of drugs as the world around him collapsed. Nevertheless, despite being lost in the abyss of drugs, one person stood by. Andrew, his true friend remained by his side even when things fall apart. Andrew is the ray of light in his life. 

Unbound

DrugFreeSG Video Competition 2023 Merit Winner (Young Adults Category) Team: Chingus Production (representing Temasek Polytechnic)

What does the aftermath of taking drugs look like? Her life, her dreams, are all shattered into pieces? What if she never took drugs? Everything will be normal. Her single father and her friends that has been giving their continual love and support. Don't give up on them just because of those sudden urge to get influenced by the peer pressure.

Aurora

DrugFreeSG Video Competition 2023 Merit Winner (Young Adults Category) Team: Redacted Filems (representing Temasek Polytechnic)

In this cinematic short film, the main protagonist, Ryan, lives a depressed life of drugs while facing a cascade of life-changing events. With the demolishing effect of drugs and the feeling of hopelessness, a podcast alters his perspective and empowers him to walk into the light of change and finally be at ease away from narcotics.

Dear Kay...

DrugFreeSG Video Competition 2023 3rd-Place Winner (Young Adults Category) Team: Abang Santai Productions

In this emotional short film, we follow a young man's journey as he confronts his drug addiction. In a mysterious black room, he discovers a revealing letter that explores his troubled relationship with drugs. 

Another Chance

DrugFreeSG Video Competition 2023 2nd-Place Winner (Young Adults Category) Team: DFSW (representing Temasek Polytechnic)

A short film that follows the life of Matthew, a dedicated food delivery rider facing financial hardships. As his bills pile up and the pressure mounts, he turns to his childhood best friend, Wei Zhao, for assistance. 

Lost Opportunities

DrugFreeSG Video Competition 2023 Merit Winner (Youths Category) Team: Obsidian Order (representing Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School)

In the clutches of menacing bully Billy, young and vulnerable Thomas becomes entangled in drug dealing, succumbing to his own insecurities. As he delves deeper into the criminal underworld, his once bright dreams and aspirations dim. 

Change

DrugFreeSG Video Competition 2023 Merit Winner (Youths Category) Team: KR DreamCasters (representing Kent Ridge Secondary School)

A story that tells us about the life of a secondary school girl, Charlotte, who lost her mother. This event has taken a toll on both her and especially her father. Charlotte’s father started drinking and it turned into an addiction. 

Crossroads

DrugFreeSG Video Competition 2023 2nd-Place Winner (Youths Category) Team: ION_1 (representing Catholic High School)

After missing a game winning shot in his school's basketball game, Samuel is approached by a drug dealer. As they begin to interact, the drug dealer gradually begins to get acquainted with Samuel, fostering a friendly connection. This dealer offers a solution to all of Samuel's challenges through the use of cannabis.