Addiction

Definitions and Scope

Addiction can be described as a brain-based, chronic relapsing disorder, but in general "any behaviour that a person craves, finds temporary relief or pleasure in but suffers negative consequences as a result of, and yet has difficulty giving up"

Addiction is thought in two broad areas: behavioural or substance addictions. Behavioural addictions include compulsive sex, gambling, shopping

Substance addictions refer to that associated with opiates, stimulants, but may also include substances considered 'normal' such as muscle sprays, paracetamol, nail polish. Alcohol is the best known example - social drinking has become an acceptable norm, so binge drinking and alcohol abuse go unnoticed and are deemed normal behaviour.

[timeline of preventive drug PE in Singapore targeted at youth — fear-arousing communication]

[things that people can be addicted to which are not criminalized]

Target Population: [name of target group]

Gambling Prevalence Survey (NCPG, 2011): -pathological (1.4%) and problem gambling (1.2%) -heavier gambling among small group of low-income gamblers, frequent gamblers.

Effects on gambling on family: MCYS commissioned study on problem gaming (2010) -family suffered -family can also help, they know that their loved ones may need help and if family accompany to counselling and therapy sessions

3 in 5 new drug abusers arrested in 2019 were below 30

2018 MHA Survey – 1 in 5 youths feel cannabis use should be legal

Youths aged 18 to 34 were twice as likely than older counterparts to drink excessively and binge drink, according to an Institute for Mental Health 2010 study.

https://www.cnb.gov.sg/docs/default-source/drug-situation-report-documents/cnb-annual-statistics-2019.pdf

https://data.gov.sg/dataset/demographic-profile-of-drug-abusers]

Premise/theories behind Singapore’s drug education efforts: e.g., inoculation, drug-focused

https://www.unodc.org/documents/commissions/CND/2019/Contributions/Panellists/25_Sept/4.CHERN_HONG_Singapore.pdf

https://www.cnb.gov.sg/aseanpde/who-we-are/preventive-drug-education-approaches#:~:text=Singapore's%20Preventive%20Drug%20Education%20Approach&text=Singapore%20places%20a%20strong%20emphasis,zero%20tolerance%20on%20drug%20abuse.

Client Segments

[Eg. For at risk youth, some could have behavioural problems and be beyond parental control. Others could merely be disengaged and bored in school. Because it seems like different engagement strategies can be customized to these sub-types, it may make sense to segmentize.]

Youth Substance Abuse

Size of Target Population

[Size of the universe (size of total potential need/demand for services)] [Size of expressed need (those receiving services and on waitlist)]

Desired impact for target group

[If we have no conception of what counts as a ‘good death’, ‘social inclusion’, ‘engaged youth’ , then it would not be possible to determine whether our policies and services are performing well]

Needs of Problem Gamblers

Many studies find out problems and trends but are low on intervention and solutioning except in broad strokes Eg Samson Tse (HK) and Hong Song-Ie (NUS): Gambling in Later Life -some older adults think it is a way to earn moneytherefore educate on financial planning skills -some older adults gamble to socialisetherefore provide other forms of civic engagement or work opportunities -certain forms of gambling popular among older adults  therefore improve awareness of the harms of these forms of gambling -awareness of problem gambling low, and mainly through TV  therefore use more TV campaigns

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Need for [ insert description ]

Existing Resources

Gaps and Their Causes

Possible Solutions

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Need for prevention and public education

Perception, attitudes, awareness; prevalence and impact studies (NCPG, MCYS) They track changes in perceptions and attitudes and awareness of problem gambling towards gambling (2006 is baseline) to guide awareness initiatives

Existing Resources

-eg piggy bank girl ad. -For seniors: Senior gambling ambassadors who are spreading the word at community events. -For youth: Gambling Prevention Roadshows (MCYS organized in 2007-8) [findings: youth gambling not visible and perceived not to be a high priority problem] -family of gambler also needs help: interventions also to inner circle of friends, extended network (the problem gambling campaign targeted at this in 2012); also Getai shows that publicised responsible gambling.

For overview of preventive measures (Alex Blaczcynski keynote that NCPG invited for 2012)

Gaps and Their Causes

Possible Solutions

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Need for professional medical treatment

Existing Resources

-NAMS -IMH -they have psychoeducation, psychoeducation & support programmes (eg GAME-Family, 8 weeks), individual counselling, family therapy

Gaps and Their Causes

Possible Solutions

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Need for Regulation and enforcement

Existing Resources

MHA

CRA

See ‘National Framework to Address Problem Gambling’ (from Adrian Sim, NCPG)

Gaps and Their Causes

Possible Solutions

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Need for rehabilitation and support in community

Existing Resources

-Designated centre for problem gamblers and their families (family and debt counselling) THKFSC@ Tanjong Pagar -Legal and financial advisory services (LFAS): AMKFSCs (3 branches); Hougang Sheng Hong, Thy Hua Kwan Problem Gambling Recovery Centre. [Also toolkits for caseworkers (that Law Society Pro Bono Services helped)] -37 FSCs -Others: Ray of Hope, One Hope, We Care -Gamblers Anonymous (Gam-Anon) at We-Care Drip-in Centre (Tiong Bahru) -Helpline NAMS of IMH and THK

Gaps and Their Causes

Dr Jeffrey Derevensky – McGill (International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours) -Normalization of gambling, even glamorization -Adolescence prevalence studies -They also have mistaken beliefs about gambling, influenced by ads -various preventive measures and programs, such as prevention workshops; responsible design & advertising; parent initiatives and awareness; internet blocking software; standards for gambling companies

Possible Solutions

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Resource Directory

National Council on Problem Gambling

https://www.ncpg.org.sg

Thy Hua Kwan Problem Gambling Recovery Centre

Insert web link

others?Ray of Hope, One Hope, We Care

WE CARE Community Services

Singapore Anti-Narcotic Associaton