NCJ Number
67752
Date Published
1977
Length
87 pages
Annotation
READINGS ARE PRESENTED ON THE CAUSES, MANIFESTATIONS, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT OF DRUG ABUSE IN SINGAPORE, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE ROLE OF VOLUNTEER AFTERCARE OFFICERS IN TREATMENT.
Abstract
PAPERS ARE PRESENTED UNDER THE MAJOR TOPICS OF THE DRUG SCENE IN SINGAPORE, PREVENTIVE EDUCATION, DRUGS AND THEIR EFFECTS, SOCIAL FACTORS BEARING ON DRUG ABUSE, PRINCIPLES AND METHODS OF PROBATION AND AFTERCARE, PROBLEMSOLVING AND THE HELPING PROCESS WITH DRUG ABUSERS, AND SOCIAL CASEWORK SKILLS. DURING THE 1970'S, DRUG ABUSE HAS BEEN A GROWING PROBLEM AMONG SINGAPORE YOUTH. THE ACCESSIBILITY OF DRUGS AND THE SOCIAL EFFECTS OF URBANIZATION UPON FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGIES ARE AMONG THE CAUSES. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM'S RESPONSE HAS BEEN TO INTRODUCE THE DEATH PENALTY FOR TRAFFICKING IN HEROIN AND MORPHINE IN EXCESS OF 15 AND 30 GRAMS. ABUSERS ARE ARRESTED AND REQUIRED TO UNDERGO TREATMENT. PREVENTIVE EDUCATION IS DESIGNED TO INFORM YOUTH ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DRUG USE. PROBATION AND AFTERCARE ARE AIMED AT REMEDYING BASIC SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE DRUG ABUSE BEHAVIOR OF EACH CLIENT. SKILLS REQUIRED OF AFTERCARE OFFICERS ARE THE IDENTIFICATION OF DRUG ABUSERS, COUNSELING, COORDINATING COMMUNITY REFERRAL SERVICES, DEVELOPMENT OF MORAL AND ETHICAL VALUES IN THE CLIENT, AND ORGANIZING GROUPS OF ALIENATED YOUTH FOR POSITIVE SOCIAL EXPERIENCES. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING TREATMENT PROGRESS ARE STABILITY, RESPONSIBILITY, REALITY ORIENTATION, SELF-IMAGE, INDEPENDENT ACTION AND THOUGHT, SELF-EXPRESSION, AUTHORITY CONCEPTS, CHOICE OF COMPANIONS, CREATIVITY AND COMMITMENT, AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH IMPORTANT OTHERS. (RCB)