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Straits Times
17-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Why we should be concerned when animals are abused
A community cat feeder at a makeshift memorial for King Kong the cat, who was brutally killed earlier in May. PHOTOS: JANET CHIN Why we should be concerned when animals are abused SINGAPORE - In the wake of the brutal killings of two community cats in May, some members of the public are echoing a question posed by Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam after the first incident: What kind of person would do this? In a January report, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said there were 961 confirmed reports of animal abuse involving some 2,190 animals in 2024. The figure is a 12-year high and means an average of six animals were subjected to suffering or death each day in Singapore last year. SPCA's first full report on the state of animal cruelty and welfare in Singapore also revealed that more than half of these cases involved cats, with 1,330 cases, or 60.7 per cent. The numbers have some mental health experts concerned. Dr Annabelle Chow, principal clinical psychologist at Annabelle Psychology , said: 'At a moral level, these acts are appalling and reflective of a disregard for the suffering of sentient beings. They suggest that animals are perceived to be less worthy of compassion or protection. Helplines Mental well-being Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928 Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1 Women's Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm) Counselling Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555 Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366 We Care Community Services: 3165-8017 Clarity Singapore: 6757-7990 Online resources (for those aged 13 to 25) (for those aged 12 to 25) 'Beyond morality, there are serious psychological and societal implications.' Dr Lim Boon Leng, a private psychiatrist from Dr BL Lim Centre for Psychological Wellness said that such cases of animal abuse and cruelty are a 'worrying red flag'. 'We should be very concerned, especially when the acts go beyond mere neglect or impulsive aggression and take on a calculated, brutal nature,' said Dr Lim. 'The sheer level of cruelty inflicted - mutilation, repeated injuries, or killing with intent - often correlates with deeper psychological disturbance. 'Such behaviour isn't just anti-social; it may reflect entrenched callousness, sadism, or a lack of empathy so profound that it borders on psychopathy.' Animal cruelty at a young age is a warning sign for future interpersonal violence, both Dr Chow and Dr Lim said, citing the Violence Graduation Hypothesis , which assumes a direct causal link between animal cruelty and interpersonal aggression. Youth who abuse animals are also at an increased risk of harming peers, family members, and others later in life, Dr Chow said. For them, such behaviours may be driven by curiosity, a desire to gain peer approval, or even a desire to attract attention. If left unaddressed, these behaviours may escalate and contribute to wider societal harm. In clinical terms, the severity of violence is often a more telling indicator of risk than frequency alone, Dr Lim added - someone who goes out of their way to inflict prolonged suffering on an animal is far more likely to escalate, or already be engaging in, other harmful behaviours such as emotional abuse, coercive control, or violence toward vulnerable individuals. 'In Singapore's context, societal constraints (legal, cultural, and communal) may inhibit escalation to violence against people. But inhibition isn't rehabilitation,' said Dr Lim. 'The underlying pathology may fester and be expressed in less visible but still damaging forms: emotional abuse, coercive control in relationships, or domestic violence.' The internet normalising disturbing content may also feed such behaviour. Both Dr Lim and Dr Chow agreed that the shock value of such brutal killings attract attention and increasingly desensitise viewers to such violence over time. This creates a 'distorted feedback loop', says Dr Chow: The more shocking the act, the more engagement it garners on social media through likes, shares, and comments, and as conversational topics. For some perpetrators, this visibility can feel like validation or recognition, negatively reinforcing the continuation of such behaviour. What should I do if I think someone I know is an animal abuser? 'Firstly, if there is an immediate danger to an animal, we should take steps to protect it,' said Dr Lim. 'We must never minimise it or rationalise animal abuse away. It is never 'just a phase', a joke or a way to vent anger. The potential of an underlying psychiatric disorder and escalation of interpersonal violence is real.' Not all perpetrators will become violent offenders, he said. But when one sees a level of cruelty that involves planning, enjoyment, or symbolic intent, such as targeting specific animals or repeating the act, it is often a red flag of a much more disturbed inner world. 'These are not simply 'troubled youths' or 'people having a bad day',' said Dr Lim. He added that parents who observe their children mistreating animals should be concerned, as it may be indicative of underlying emotional distress and may be a reflection of the child's difficult or even abusive environment. 'When such behaviour is noticed, it's vital to approach the individual with compassion, seeking to understand the motivation rather than reacting with anger,' he said, suggesting beneficial steps such as fostering open dialogue and taking the individual to counselling or therapy. While animal cruelty must be taken seriously, responses should balance accountability with understanding, said Dr Chow, adding that in such cases, it is never just about the act itself, but about what lies underneath: a breakdown in empathy, in self-regulation, sometimes in human connection. To effectively mitigate the issue of animal abuse, Dr Chow said that addressing root causes is essential in preventing recurrence and creating meaningful change in the lives of perpetrators, as well as society. She also believes that the wider community's response to both incidents reflects something hopeful. 'These incidents show us where those breakdowns exist,' she said. 'But they also show us what we still hold on to. When people speak up, when communities organise, when strangers come together around a shared cause, that's not just a reaction. It's a reflection of who we are.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
The Star
17-05-2025
- The Star
Two teens in Singapore died of overdoses in January 2025: minister
SINGAPORE: Two teenagers aged 16 and 18 died of suspected drug overdoses in January, as Singapore continues its battle against drug abuse, a growing problem among young people. Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam told the audience at the second Drug Victims Remembrance Day observance ceremony on Friday (May 16) that methamphetamine, also known as Ice, was likely to have been involved. 'There are many other tragic cases, but thankfully they remain small in number,' he said at the event at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. Shanmugam added: 'We are finding that we are arresting younger and younger abusers. (In 2024), the youngest was 13 years old. Over the last two years, more than half of new abusers arrested were below 30 years old.' A 2016 study by the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) found that the cost to Singapore society of dealing with drug crimes was more than $1.2 billion in 2015, said Shanmugam. The financial impact of drug abuse on individuals is equally staggering. A 2020 NTU study found drug consumption significantly impacts abusers' income and income growth even after they quit the habit. An abuser can stand to lose close to $620,000 through spending on drugs and potential lost income. The Drug Victims Remembrance Day campaign is an initiative by the Inter-Ministry Committee on Drug Prevention for Youths to highlight the impact of drugs on abusers and their loved ones. The 2025 campaign will be held at the Suntec City Level 1 Atrium until May 18. It features an interactive Museum Of Us exhibition, inspired by the personal stories of real-life drug victims, who are families and friends of abusers. The campaign also features five short films titled Remember Us, seen from the perspectives of the loved ones of a fictional drug abuser, John. While the characters in the films are played by actors, the experiences portrayed are based on research and interviews with Singaporeans affected by drug abuse, said Tan Hui Er, the films' director. Tan, 29, said: 'The very important thing for me was making sure that the pain and the love that they (characters in the short films) feel and their experiences are felt and seen.' The pain that drug abuse causes families is something that former abuser Shaun Yeo, who has three children, knows too well. Yeo, 41, a delivery driver, said he cannot forget the 'countless times' his then seven-year-old daughter saw him dragged away to the police station while he was high on drugs. Said Yeo, who was first arrested for drug abuse at age 15: 'I couldn't fulfil my responsibility as a father because I was constantly broke. Even when I had money, the first thing I thought of was drugs... not my family.' Yeo, who has been drug-free since 2020, is trying to rebuild his relationship with his children, now aged 12 to 18. He spent a total of four years in prison for drug crimes over a 20-year period. Former drug abuser and gang leader Kim Whye Kee, 49, is grateful for his mother, who never gave up on him during his 10-year sentence for drug abuse and extortion. Said Kim, who was released from prison in 2008: 'Her love is unconditional, something that I realised during my years of drug addiction... She always stood by me, even when I relapsed or got arrested.' Kim, who began learning pottery in his final months in prison, held his first solo exhibition in 2019. He is scheduled for another exhibition in Suzhou, China, in a few weeks. He said he could not imagine what he had put his mother through, especially during occasions like Chinese New Year, when relatives would discuss what their children were doing. A lot of that time, he was in prison. Added Kim: 'It was a bit strange when I saw my mother tearing up (at my solo exhibition)... she was not sad but very happy when Shanmugam came and visitors asked if I was her son. For me, (seeing that) was enough.' Showing support and caring for drug abusers are vital to their reintegration into society, said Amy Ronshausen, executive director of Drug Free America Foundation and Save Our Society From Drugs. Events such as Drug Victims Remembrance Day bring families together in support of recovering drug abusers. Ronshausen, 51, who was at the ceremony, told The Straits Times: 'It reminds them why recovery is important and why they need to stay (clear of drugs) and have their families around them. It's not an individual thing but a community thing.' - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Straits Times
Two teens died of overdoses in January 2025: Shanmugam
Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam giving a speech at the second Drug Victims Remembrance Day observance ceremony on May 16. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI SINGAPORE - Two teenagers aged 16 and 18 died of suspected drug overdoses in January, as Singapore continues its battle against drug abuse, a growing problem among young people. Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam told the audience at the second Drug Victims Remembrance Day observance ceremony on May 16 that methamphetamine, also known as Ice, was likely to have been involved. 'There are many other tragic cases, but thankfully they remain small in number,' he said at the event at the Suntec City Convention and Exhibition Centre. Mr Shanmugam added: 'We are finding that we are arresting younger and younger abusers. Last year, the youngest was 13 years old. Over the last two years, more than half of new abusers arrested were below 30 years old.' A 2016 study by the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) found the cost to Singapore society of dealing with drug crimes was more than $1.2 billion in 2015 , said Mr Shanmugam. The financial impact of drug abuse on individuals is equally staggering. A 2020 NTU study found drug consumption significantly impacts the abusers' income and income growth even after they quit the habit. An abuser can stand to lose close to $620,000 through spending on drugs and potential lost income. The Drug Victims Remembrance Day campaign is an initiative by the Inter-Ministry Committee on Drug Prevention for Youths to highlight the impact of drugs on abusers and their loved ones. This year's campaign is at the Suntec City Level 1 Atrium until May 18. It features an interactive Museum of Us exhibition, inspired by the personal stories of real-life drug victims, who are the families and friends of abusers. Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam at the 'Museum of Us' exhibition during the second Drug Victims Remembrance Day observance ceremony on May 16. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI The campaign also features five short films titled Remember Us, seen from the perspectives of the loved ones of a fictional drug abuser, John. While the characters in the films are played by actors, the experiences portrayed are based on research and interviews with Singaporeans affected by drug abuse, said Ms Tan Hui Er, the films' director. Ms Tan, 29, said: 'The very important thing for me was making sure that the pain and the love that they (characters in the short films) feel and their experiences, are felt and seen.' The pain of drug abuse on families is something that former abuser Shaun Yeo, who has three children, knows too well. Mr Yeo, 41, a delivery driver, said he cannot forget the 'countless times' his seven-year-old daughter saw him dragged away to the police station while he was high on drugs. Said Mr Yeo, who was first arrested for drug abuse at age 15: 'I couldn't fulfil my responsibility as a father because I was constantly broke. Even when I had money, the first thing I thought of was my family.' Mr Yeo, who has been drug-free since 2020, is trying to rebuild his relationship with his children, now aged 12 to 18 . He had spent a total of four years in prison for drug crimes over a 20-year period. Former drug abuser and gang leader Kim Whye Kee, 49, is grateful for his mother, who never gave up on him during his 10-year sentence for drug abuse and extortion. Said Mr Kim, who was released from prison in 2008: 'Her love is unconditional, something that I realised during my years of drug addiction... She always stood by me even when I relapsed or got arrested.' Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam (right) with (from left) DrugFreeSG Advocate Gopal Mahey, Mr Kim Whye Kee and Mr Shaun Yeo on May 16. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Mr Kim, who began learning pottery in his final months in prison, held his first solo exhibition in 2019. He is scheduled for another exhibition in Suzhou, China in a few weeks. He said he could not imagine what he had put his mother through, especially during occasions like Chinese New Year (CNY), when relatives would discuss what their children were doing. A lot of that time, he was in prison. Added Mr Kim: 'It was a bit strange when I saw my mother tearing (at my solo exhibition)... she was not sad but very happy when Mr Shanmugam came and visitors asked if I was her son. For me (seeing that) was enough.' Showing support and caring for drug abusers is vital to their reintegration into society said Ms Amy Ronshausen, executive director of Drug Free America Foundation, Inc. and Save Our Society From Drugs. Events such as the Drug Victims Remembrance Day brings families together in support of recovering drug abusers. Mr Ronshausen, 51, who was at the ceremony, told The Straits Times: 'It reminds them why recovery is important and why they need to stay (clear of drugs) and have their families around them. It's not an individual thing but a community thing.' Zaihan Mohamed Yusof is senior crime correspondent at The Straits Times. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Singapore Law Watch
16-05-2025
- Health
- Singapore Law Watch
S'pore must be wary of synthetic drugs amid worst overdose epidemic in history: Veteran journalist
S'pore must be wary of synthetic drugs amid worst overdose epidemic in history: Veteran journalist Source: Straits Times Article Date: 16 May 2025 Author: Andrew Wong British journalist Ioan Grillo has reported on the drug scene from Mexico for more than two decades. Synthetic drugs like fentanyl have become so potent that illegal drug producers are intentionally weakening the dosage to prevent the drugs from killing their customers, said a veteran British journalist. Englishman Ioan Grillo has reported on the drug scene from Mexico for more than two decades and is in Singapore to speak at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Forum Against Drugs, which takes place at Furama RiverFront Hotel from May 15 to 17. Used as a painkiller, fentanyl – a Class A controlled drug in Singapore – is estimated to be up to 100 times more potent than morphine. It killed 76,000 people in the US in 2023, and 48,422 in 2024. In his opening address at the forum, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said the threat of synthetic drugs is coming closer to home, after reports emerged in March that Malaysia had found traces of fentanyl in its sewage systems. Tapping his experiences with drug cartels in Mexico, Mr Grillo said fentanyl has killed so many people that it is actually bad business for drug sellers. He said: 'Because you're killing off your customers. So they're trying to find ways to mix it up with other drugs or tranquillisers.' Mr Grillo said that 20 years ago, he would be able to have a conversation with a drug user or addict. But the effects of synthetic drugs are more pronounced, such that he can barely make sense of his conversations with drug users today. He said: 'The addicts today are completely zombified, and an incredible number of people are dying from these drugs. This may be the worst overdose epidemic in history.' He added that modern synthetic drugs could be manufactured so purely that the doses are exponentially higher than that of drugs in the past. Speaking to The Straits Times on May 14, Mr Grillo said the revolution towards synthetic drugs has surfaced in Asia and will pose a bigger problem than traditional plant-based drugs, like cannabis. He said: 'If you look at it – the biggest problem in Asia is methamphetamine, and it is a synthetic drug. (Suppliers) have found big markets in the Philippines, in Malaysia, and it's the biggest problem in Singapore.' Annual statistics from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) show that methamphetamine was the most commonly abused drug in Singapore in 2024. In its 2024 report, the United Nations-backed International Narcotics Control Board said a rapid expansion of synthetic drugs is becoming a global public health threat. These drugs, which are cheaper to make, mean greater profits for producers and traffickers. In 2021, CNB uncovered the first known attempt to traffic fentanyl in its pure form into Singapore after seizing 200 vials containing about 20mg of the opioid in a scanned package from Vietnam. To solve the global drug problem, former White House Office of National Drug Control Policy adviser Kevin Sabet said governments should tackle drug problems on the local level first. Mr Sabet, a drug policy scholar, will also speak at the Asia-Pacific Forum Against Drugs. He told ST that in Singapore's case, deterrence in the form of strict drug legislation seems to be working. But he warned that the global consensus against drug abuse has been challenged in recent years by those who lobby for legislative changes and softer attitudes towards narcotics. Said Mr Sabet: 'One of the things I'm extremely worried about is the movement to legalise drugs. It's coming from a multibillion-dollar movement that is very smart, calculated, and running in non-governmental organisations around the world.' He pointed out that a key goal for the movement is to break the global consensus against drug abuse and argued that countries cannot lose sight of the need to work together. He cited Thailand's experience with decriminalising the recreational use of cannabis in 2022, before reversing its decision after a public backlash. Mr Sabet said the movement targeted Thailand, arguing that cannabis could be used for medicinal purposes and somehow convincing the authorities to go ahead with the move. He said countries should not be swayed by such rhetoric. Said Mr Sabet: 'Instead, focus on a comprehensive approach and see prevention and recovery as your North Star. 'And do not succumb to those who tell us that we can simplify our way out of the drug problem by making drugs safer to use, or encouraging even more drug use.' Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Print
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
S'pore must be wary of synthetic drugs amid worst overdose epidemic in history: Veteran journalist
SINGAPORE - Synthetic drugs like fentanyl have become so potent that illegal drug producers are intentionally weakening the dosage to prevent the drugs from killing their customers, said a veteran British journalist. Englishman Ioan Grillo has reported on the drug scene from Mexico for more than two decades and is in Singapore to speak at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Forum Against Drugs, which takes place at Furama RiverFront Hotel from May 15 to 17. Used as a painkiller, fentanyl – a Class A controlled drug in Singapore – is estimated to be up to 100 times more potent than morphine. It killed 76,000 people in the US in 2023, and 48,422 in 2024. In his opening address at the forum, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said the threat of synthetic drugs is coming closer to home, after reports emerged in March that Malaysia had found traces of fentanyl in its sewage systems. Tapping his experiences with drug cartels in Mexico, Mr Grillo said fentanyl has killed so many people that it is actually bad business for drug sellers. He said: 'Because you're killing off your customers. So they're trying to find ways to mix it up with other drugs or tranquillisers.' Mr Grillo said that 20 years ago, he would be able to have a conversation with a drug user or addict. But the effects of synthetic drugs are more pronounced, such that he can barely make sense of his conversations with drug users today. He said: 'The addicts today are completely zombified, and an incredible number of people are dying from these drugs. This may be the worst overdose epidemic in history.' He added that modern synthetic drugs could be manufactured so purely that the doses are exponentially higher than that of drugs in the past. Speaking to The Straits Times on May 14, Mr Grillo said the revolution towards synthetic drugs has surfaced in Asia and will pose a bigger problem than traditional plant-based drugs, like cannabis. He said: 'If you look at it – the biggest problem in Asia is methamphetamine, and it is a synthetic drug. (Suppliers) have found big markets in the Philippines, in Malaysia, and it's the biggest problem in Singapore.' Annual statistics from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) show that methamphetamine was the most commonly abused drug in Singapore in 2024. In its 2024 report, the United Nations-backed International Narcotics Control Board said a rapid expansion of synthetic drugs is becoming a global public health threat. These drugs, which are cheaper to make, mean greater profits for producers and traffickers. In 2021, CNB uncovered the first known attempt to traffic fentanyl in its pure form into Singapore after seizing 200 vials containing about 20mg of the opioid in a scanned package from Vietnam. To solve the global drug problem, former White House Office of National Drug Control Policy adviser Kevin Sabet said governments should tackle drug problems on the local level first. Mr Sabet, a drug policy scholar, will also speak at the Asia-Pacific Forum Against Drugs. He told ST that in Singapore's case, deterrence in the form of strict drug legislation seems to be working. But he warned that the global consensus against drug abuse has been challenged in recent years by those who lobby for legislative changes and softer attitudes towards narcotics. Said Mr Sabet: 'One of the things I'm extremely worried about is the movement to legalise drugs. It's coming from a multibillion-dollar movement that is very smart, calculated, and running in non-governmental organisations around the world.' He pointed out that a key goal for the movement is to break the global consensus against drug abuse and argued that countries cannot lose sight of the need to work together. He cited Thailand's experience with decriminalising the recreational use of cannabis in 2022, but later reversed its decision after a public backlash. Mr Sabet said the movement targeted Thailand, arguing that cannabis could be used for medicinal purposes and somehow convincing the authorities to go ahead with the move. He said countries should not be swayed by such rhetoric. Said Mr Sabet: 'Instead, focus on a comprehensive approach and see prevention and recovery as your North Star. 'And do not succumb to those who tell us that we can simplify our way out of the drug problem by making drugs safer to use, or encouraging even more drug use.' Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
