Youth at risk

Definitions and Scope

Target Population: Youth at Risk

Youth in Risk - these are youth offenders, see page on Juvenile Delinquents

Youth at Risk -

Previously, there were many definitions of youth at risk by different agencies and VWOs, but MSF is trying to standardise this through an overarching youth-at-risk engagement framework launched in April 2016. It covers youths who may have pre-delinquency traits, prior drug experiences, incarcerated parents and/or anti-social or unhealthy presenting behaviours such as risky sexual behaviours, delinquency, violence, etc. [1]

See also youthreach definition [2]

Not well engaged in school, negative peer influence, frustration and intolerance, poor decision making skills. Not offended (Trybe inputs on definition of youth at risk)

“Those who have been subjected to a combination of interrelated biological, psychological, and social factors that result in a greater likelihood for the development of delinquency, substance abuse, or other related anti-social and self destructive behaviours” - Inter-Ministry Committee on Youth Crime (IMYC), 2002

CARE: Systemic point of view: failure of adult systems to support the formation of youth Broad definition is useful to accommodate a wide spectrum of abuse, but can focus on specific issues

See Sector Report by Just Cause Asia

Client Segments

By Degree of Severity?

1-Disengaged, at risk of dropping out of school

- Attendance: Poor attendance or having to see counsellor, these are labelled as problem by the schools

- Academic performance: Academically under-performing youth, eg those in normal academic and normal technical streams?

2-General Mental Health and Well-being Youth with mental health issues

3-NEET / School drop-outs

4-Beyond parental control

-Beyond parental control or BPC refers to a child or young person who is below the age of 16 years who may be in persistent conflict with his/her parent/s and school or other authorities and who may be displaying at risk behaviours. Usually, there is a breakdown in the relationship and communication between the child/young person and his/her parent/s. It may result in the inability of the parent/s to exercise care and control over the child/young person. In these circumstances, the parent/s can apply to the Youth Court for a BPC order.[3]

5-Juvenile delinquents

Juvenile Delinquents

At risk and in risk: those who have offended, they have been caught, the others haven't been caught, or just not reach the risk yet. Those who have gone through court system, will think differently.

Trybe's segmentation of clients for reference: degrees of seriousness of those who are at risk -time-out program, school identifies and they work on socio-emotional competencies, relationship management etc, esteem, motivation; usually in group setting -YARE: casework and mentoring, more individualised and work with family. [not necessarily mores serious but more open to one to one] -service learning

Size of the Problem

1a- Youths in Singapore who are involved in substance abuse

According to the drug situation report (2016) [4] CNB arrested a total of 3,265 drug abusers in 2016. This was a 2% decrease from the 3,343 drug abusers arrested in 2015. While the number of repeat drug abusers arrested decreased by 6%, from 2,034 in 2015 to 1,917 in 2016, the number of new drug abusers arrested increased by 3%, from 1,309 in 2015 to 1,348 last year. Close to two-thirds of new abusers arrested were youths under 30 years of age.

There are 151 young Singaporeans studying in primary to tertiary public educational institution caught for drug offences in 2016. There are 124 being caught in 2015 and 83 in 2014. With that, we can tell that as the years goes by, there are more and more numbers of youths in Singapore who are involved in substance abuse.

From a survey, it concluded that more young people have liberal attitude towards drugs. The 'Youth Perception Survey' revealed that 58% of young people said that they learnt about drug-related content via social media. The survey also showed that there is a increase in the proportion of young people who perceived cannabis as a popular drug of abuse, with number standing at 35%, up from 17% in 2013. (http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/more-young-people-have-liberal-attitude-towards-drugs-survey)

 Legalisation abroad contributes to liberal attitudes towards cannabis - the most common drug clients turn to - online buying on social media has made it easy. A Facebook page seen by The Straits Times had sellers openly advertising drugs such as ecstasy and cannabis to a group of over 1,200 members. Media:http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/more-singapore-youth-seeking-help-for-cannabis-abuse

The Government's Task Force on Youth and Drugs commissioned a survey in 2015, which found that cannabis abusers came from either middle or high socio-economic households, unlike Ice abusers, who tended to come from lower-income backgrounds. The survey - which polled 700 young people aged between 12 and 29, including more than 200 drug abusers - found that a high proportion of cannabis abusers did well in school and only a small proportion had parents with drug histories.[Media:http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/abusers-getting-more-brazen]

1b- Increase in Youth drug abuse According to CNB, 3,245 drug abusers were arrested last year, a 3 per cent decrease from the year before. The number of repeat drug abusers arrested also went down 7 per cent from 2,034 in 2015 to 1,898 last year.

However, the number of new drug abusers arrested rose 3 per cent to 1,347 from 2015's 1,309. Among the new abusers arrested, close to two-thirds were below 30 years old, according to the latest statistics.

About 41 per cent of the total drug abusers arrested last year were under 30, CNB figures showed.

From this statistics present, we are can see that although there has been a decrease of drug abusers in Singapore, there has been an increase of youth substance abuses cases and majority of those arrested were under 30 years old.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/fewer-drug-abusers-arrested-in-2016-but-more-new-drug-abusers-ca-7592594

"While there are no accurate statistics available, it is estimated by Dangerous Drugs Board as many as 3.7 millions in the Philippines are dealing with drug addiction just a year 2016, 65 percent of it -is young people. "

Indicate the percentage of youths in Singapore who are involved in substance abuse. It would be good to compare the percentage with those in other countries. Nearly 70 per cent of new drug abusers arrested in 2015 were aged below 30. The average age of drug dependency in South Africa is 12 years old and dropping. However, maybe South Africa should not be compared to Singapore since it's not doing as well as Singpore , thus it is normal to see South Africa having more youth involved in substance abuse. However when we look COMPARE Australia. Australia has seen 12–17 year-olds were drinking alcohol and the proportion abstaining from alcohol significantly increased from 2013 to 2016 (from 72% to 82%). Thus this shows youths in Singapore involved in substance abuse is still lower compared to other countries that are doing as well as Singapore such as Australia. (Perpetua response) http://darta.net.au/category/new-research-and-statistics/

"5-19 years old group has the claim of drug use; more males than females who are drug users and drug rehabilitation centres claim that majority of clients belong to age group of 25-29 years old. According to the SWS survey, 1996- 1.5M youth Filipinos and 1997- grew into 2.1M youth Filipinos are into substance abuse "

https://politicsmeanspolitics.com/why-majority-of-drug-users-in-philippines-is-youth-57f323707e2d

-1c Comparing with other countries

http://www.doh.gov.ph/adolescent-and-youth-health-program

All in all, we are able to see that there is a huge difference when we compare the number of youth drug offenders in Singapore against Philippines. It is because of the difference in population in both countries which contributed in such difference in number. However, it can be seen in the statics of both countries which shows that there is a rising numbers of youth who are abusing substance

- 2 Rise in Incidences of Violence related to Underage Drinking

Drinking among the young

The legal drinking age in Singapore is 18 years. However, this time we do not have an accurate estimate of underage drinking in the country, but there is a vague but general sense of unease that it might be fairly pervasive.

The dire consequences of early heavy drinking in the young can happen even before it develops into a disorder. Underaged drinking increased risks of fatal accident, self-harm, violent behaviour, criminality, unprotected sex, teenage pregnancy - and for girls, of being sexually assaulted.

Heavy drinking over time damages the adolescent brain more than the adult brain and makes them less able to curb cravings for alcohol. This may explain why people who begin drinking at an early age are at greater risk of becoming alcoholics.

References: http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/keeping-an-eye-on-underage-drinking

For alcohol consumption in Singapore, the legal age is 18 years old. Despite having the heavy law enforced in Singapore there’s still the number of underage drinking happening. The WHO study of 2004 has found out that 73.5% of males and 64.5% of the female between age 15 and 19 years old drank alcohol. When underage drinker is intoxicated they are more likely to be involved in the acts of vandalism and other serious crimes that they might commit with their friends.

Underage drinking can cause impulsive act which the number of youth are getting into violent in fights which seem to be on the rise. Which during 2014, there at 322 underage drinkers were arrested for rioting that the percentage jump from 18.8% 2013.

Seeing the statistics of American underage drinking, according to 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the estimated number of Americans between the age of 12 to 20 are reporting so alcohol consumption of underage drinking. Which this represents about nearly 20% of the age group who consume alcohol illegally.

References: http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/more-young-people-singapore-turning-violence

- 3 Rise in Incidences of Violence Related to Drug Abuse

The use of alcohol and drugs can negatively affect all aspects of a person’s life, impact their family, friends and community, and place an enormous burden on American society. One of the most significant areas of risk with the use of alcohol and drugs is the connection between alcohol, drugs and crime.

Alcohol and drugs are implicated in an estimated 80% of offenses leading to incarceration in the United States such as domestic violence, driving while intoxicated, property offenses, drug offenses, and public-order offenses.

Our nation’s prison population has exploded beyond capacity and most inmates are in prison, in large part, because of substance abuse:

• 80% of offender’s abuse drugs or alcohol. • Nearly 50% of jail and prison inmates are clinically addicted. • Approximately 60% of individuals arrested for most types of crimes test positive for illegal drugs at arrest. • Each year, more than 600,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking. • 95% of all violent crime on college campuses involves the use of alcohol by the assailant, victim or both. • 90% of acquaintance rape and sexual assault on college campuses involves the use of alcohol by the assailant, victim or both.

From the statistics present, we would agree with the statement that there is a rise in incidences of violence related to drug abuse not only in our own country but in other regions as well.

[5]

[6]

In the article above, it is said that youths lead to abuse towards parents when asking for money to cover for their substance abuse. This is an immoral behaviour that youths have adopted because of their crazy addiction.

Rise in number of new addiction cases Two hospitals here have seen more new addiction cases in recent years. From 2013 to 2014: - New cases of drug addiction rose by nearly 12% from 591 to 661. - New alcohol addiction cases rose from 415 to 433, which is about 4% increase - New gambling addiction cases rose from 418 to 526, which is about 26% increase - The number of inpatient cases (both new and repeat) with alcohol addiction rose 27%, from 259 in 2013, to 329 in 2015. [7]

• In Singapore*

Singapore has one of the strictest laws on drug related offences which makes Singapore one of the few countries in the world that could dealt effectively with the drug problem. By having a tough legal framework against traffickers and abusers. Singapore will carry out intensive efforts to educate Singaporeans on the dangers of drug abuse — and all these are complemented by comprehensive rehabilitation measures. Such as crimes committed under the influence of drugs will be punish accordingly.

Although Singapore have low percentages of poeple committing drug related offences, there are still a small percentage of poeple who does.

I would be using the article as an clear examples of how drug can influence us and hurt people around us. [8] A 39-year-old man has been arrested for suspected drink-driving, drug-related offences and for injuring three police officers when he resisted arrest. Which shows us that drug abuser does not only harm themselves but also harm others, as the drugs will control over your mind and body. Nonetheless, Singapore Police was able to handle this solution quickly, and have charged that man for his crimes.

4- The Prevalence of Youth Drug Abuse based on Family History Family backgrounds such as income, parenting, and education will affect the likelihood of their children abusing drugs. Children of more affluent families may be at greater risk, of facing anxiety and depression as these children experience more pressure from family such as doing well in school and life. The pressure and isolation from parents resulted them in using drugs.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1950124/

Growing up in a family that emphasizes getting "high" from legal or illegal substances can cause an adolescent to think drug use is acceptable. Mayo Clinic explains that this unhealthy family influence may be a factor in a youth's initial drug experimentation. Exposure to family members who reach for a substance to cure every pain or ailment can cause a youth to do the same. Youths get many of their values from parents and other adult influences, and often mimic what they see.

Thus, it is important for parents to set a good example and provide good guidance on shaping the lives of our young ones. Children will always look up to their grandparents,parents or even siblings and pay closely attention to their actions and tend to mimic the way they behave. They may feel that it is acceptable for them to do if their parents, siblings or grandparents have done so. This is crucial when it comes to severe matters like drinking, doing drugs or even gambling.

Genetics make up to 50% of risk for alcohol and drug usage. Children are likely to develop the same drug habits as their parents. Certain people are more prone to addiction and it could be run in the family.

- Family, parenting all gives factor to a child's mentality and behaviour. Since family is one of the first and main point of socialization, the type of parenting and guidance will affect the youths attitude. If the children have good role model parents, they will likely to follow their path considering the type f household they have. However, if children grows up in a how where he/she sees their parents doing vices (smoking, alcohol or drugs) they might get the perception that these activities are normal and alright. Although there are some research that addiction in drugs or alcohol can be inherited, huge factors come from the youth's surroundings such as peers and family. Therefore, it is important to have families that are giving correct guidance and making sure that they are displaying the correct behaviour. (e.g. personal experience : growing up in a household where vices is looked down upon too, we have the mentality not to engage in such activities as guidance is taught from young).

Understanding Youths in Singapore

Education

MOE has 10 year drop out rates, less than 1%. We take 10 years of education, not 12 years like other countries. If look at post-secondary, the drop-out rates are higher (need to verify, may be as high as 20%). [but the prolem is nowadays, 10 years of education is still not enough? but there is SkillsFuture for that]

[Knowledge gap: Is there a class difference?...whether affluent families use other resources rather than government or voluntary resources]

The social classes

Emerging group that comes from middle class background (CNB), not majority but there is increaseing gorup.

Youth guidance

CYGO defines at risk as about 300 per year (or rather they have secured funding to serve 300). general conduct, peer related issues, risk of dropping out. Left it to each agency to streamline. CYGO found that there is no clear definition of youth at risk, hoping this initiative will help them clarify this definition.

3,265 young people aged from seven to 19 were arrested in 2015, up from 3,120 in 2014 and 3,031 in 2013 (ST 14 Nov 2016)

[youth court sentenced...then serve in their homes, there are other voluntary homes, those homes take in a wider range] [capacity to serve 120, but right now about 70] [see annual report by probation service].

[a lot more diversionary programs in place...guidance programs and enhanced step-up][there are some that have gone through diversionary program]

Mental health study on youths

The problem of Youth at risk in Singapore is a relatively less severe one compared to issues such as mental health which are more prevalent or pervasive. According to the latest mental health study, one in ten people in Singapore will be stricken by mental illness in their lifetime. In contrast, the drop out rate for primary and secondary schools was less than 1% in 2014. The latest youth at risk programme launched by MSF aims to serve about 900 at-risk youth over the next three years.[9]

Addiction

-Useful to track emerging problems among youth include various types of addiction (gaming, social media, tech addiction) and cyber bullying that may require youth workers to reach out to them in different ways: The National Council of Social Service (NCSS) in Singapore has launched a free one-stop service, called Help123, for youth cyber wellness issues. Media:http://opengovasia.com/articles/7806-national-council-of-social-service-singapore-launches-one-stop-service-for-youth-cyber-wellness-issues -Useful to have size of expressed need (those receiving services and on waitlist)

Additional data on the study of youths in Singapore

-Insert findings of National Youth Survey of NYC, and Youth Statistics

-refer to Singstat

-Useful to have figures or projections for where the youths are distributed for purpose of service planning: eg whether they are in Tampines or Sengkang.

-useful to insert figures for marriage between minors, or one partner is a minor: In 2016, 0.4 male and 1.7 female for every 1000 unmarried citizens aged 15 to 19 are married.

Legislation

Children and Young Persons Act Requirement for all Children and Young Persons Homes to be licensed. All cases of children residing in Homes will be reviewed by a Review Board comprising independent members from the community, to ensure that there are proper care plans in place for children, and also conduct visits to the Homes to ensure that residents have a safe environment (MSF webpage)

Policy Developments

Smaller agencies currently running the programmes will stop receiving new cases from MSF so that the programmes can be centralised at the two integrated service providers' centres in Woodlands and Clementi. Eventually, MSF will roll out such providers all over Singapore (ST 16 Nov 2016)

YARE program...no court order. Therefore youth and parent have to consent to the program, no need to come. Have to sell it to them, dont say 'youth at risk' when they talk to youths?

Desired impact for target group

At risk youth - strengthening of internal resource to overcome adversity, see improvement in decision or coping skills; meaningful engagement - ie they have to enjoy and find fulfillment in attending school, relationship with adult figures and peers. Enjoyment is important (combination of both productive behavior and social relationships)

In risk - Successful re-integration to family and community. remain offence free. taste success in what they are doing, by their own definition... dreams and goals. Walk out not thinking they have served a sentence, but they have done something useful. [There is a community developed]

--

-Less engaged students - Students Care Service uses psycho-social indicators to measure. School engagement scale. too difficult to chase social workers and school for figures. also do not know how sensitive they are to schools. hard to track (see School Social Work in Students Care Service)

-NEETs- stay in school, finish education, can ask schools for data. (Not sure if schools will give data. Also check Enhanced Step-Up data).

-Juveniles delinquents - goal is no recidivism. Hope it is the last time we see them in Guidance Program. MSF shares recidivism numbers to Students Care Service. Estimate about less than 5-10%.

-- Reaching their potential, meaningful contribution to society [care: KPIs-check improvement indicators like staying in school...Kirkpatrick model; qualify to be student leaders, ready able and willing to take on leadership, eg 1/5 of cohort of a htousand will be able to do that]

Needs of Youth at Risk

[ADD: need to add peer group influence; ADD: Need to discover and achieve their aspirations (possible add to 'meaningfully engaged'; need to develop a sense of positive identitykkk]

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Need to avoid underage drinking

In Singapore, binge drinking is more common among 18 to 29 year olds—18.7% of men and 12.2% of women. In 2010, the Singapore Mental Health Study found that about 3.5% of our citizens suffered from alcohol abuse at some point in their lives and 0.5% from alcohol addiction (or alcoholism). The WHO study of 2004 found that 73.5% of males and 64.5% of females aged 15 and 19 years of age drank alcohol. Studies show that underage drinkers who start drinking before age 15 years are six times more likely to develop alcohol dependence or abuse later in life than those who begin drinking at or after age 21 years. Youths should therefore stay alcohol-free and be made aware of the consequences of drinking at an early age.

Violence and Underage Drinking

At Singapore's largest addiction treatment centre, the National Addictions Management Service (NAMS), counsellors saw 433 new cases from April 2014 to March 2015, compared with 415 cases a year earlier. In 2010, there were approximately 189,000 emergency rooms visits by people under age 21 in the U.S for injuries and other conditions linked to alcohol. This is because alcohol use directly affects cognitive and physical function. Hazardous alcohol use can reduce self-control and the ability to process incoming information and assess risks and makes them more likely to resort to violence in confrontation. Similarly, reduced physical control and ability to recognize warning signs in potentially dangerous situations can make some drinkers easy targets for perpetrators.

Consequences of Under-aged drinking

Consequences of Underage Drinking

-School problems, such as higher absence and poor or failing grades.

-Social problems, like fighting and lack of participation in youth activities

-Legal problems, such as arrest for driving or physically hurting someone while drunk.

-Physical problems, such as hangovers or illnesses.

-Unwanted, unplanned, and unprotected sexual activity due to unconsciousness

-Disruption of normal growth and sexual development as well as changes in brain development

-Physical and sexual assault.

-Higher risk for suicide and homicide.

-Alcohol-related car crashes and other unintentional injuries, such as burns, falls, and drowning.

-Memory problems.

-Death from alcohol poisoning.

-Development of physical and emotional dependency on alcohol.

[10]

Subjective Concerns about Underage Drinking -There are different views on underage drinking with parents supervision. Some people from a Singapore forum known as Reddit Singapore, think that as long as there is parent supervision, there is no problem as the parent can help if any situation arise. Furthermore, drinking wine has proved to be good for health when consumed correctly. For example, my friend's uncle approved of underage drinking with supervision and moderate consumption as it is said to reduce risk of developing and dying from heart disease. A Singaporean parent claim that it does not serves as a problem, so long that the child understands the effects and consequences of drinking in a forum.

- Whereas, others in the forum called Reddit Singapore, disagree in underage drinking with parents supervision. My primary school friend's mother refuses to allow underage drinking for their children in fear that my friend might get addicted and binge on alcohol, even with supervision. Over consumption of alcohol can cause damaging effects to kidney, and even death.Therefore, parents do not allow underage drinking even with supervision.

- Another issue is the age that youth first drinks alcohol. In America, the average age for a girl and boy to consume their first alcohol is 13 and 11 respectively. They begin drinking regularly at an average age of 15.9 years. In Singapore, the average age that youths started drinking is about 12 to 13 years old. It is similar to the result from America. Many youths are starting alcohol on a very young age nowadays. In Straits Times, a senior director for youth services at the Singapore Children's Society, say that the reason this occurs is due to adults constantly drinking in front of youths. This can be a case of influence from families. Families are the primary agents of socialisation. Thus, children will follow their parents' examples.

- Ms Lena Teo, assistant director of counselling at the Children-at-Risk Empowerment Association (Care Singapore), says that the accessibility of alcohol in Singapore is a reason when interviewed by Straits Times. Although the legal age to buy alcohol is 18, youths now have found a way to gain access to alcohol. They will seek help from their peers who are of the legal age, and get alcohol from them. They may even give an excuse, stating that their mother need wine for cooking. There are many places to gain alcohol in Singapore due to the increasing night clubs and shops selling alcohol.

- My secondary school friend thinks that youths who drink are "cool". Many people are drinking alcohol, thus it is seen as a "trend" to drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol makes them feel like an "adult". They want to gain recognition from their peers as a youth, especially if they are not given attention from their families. Thus, they might drink to impress their friends by drinking alcohol as it is "cool".

- Another concern that the people have is the dangers of underage drinking. For example, my parent might think that underage drinking can cause accidents to happen. As the youths are not sober enough, they are more prone to making mistakes. For example, they may cross the road without looking for cars, which can cause a fatal car accident to occur. Others think that it can lead to a mistake such as having sexual intercourse due to the heat of the moment. Hence, parents might fear that their child may make mistakes that cannot be reverse due to drinking.

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/social-workers-sound-alert-on-new-generation-of-young-drinkers https://www.helpguide.org/harvard/the-dangers-of-teenage-drinking.htm#early 

Existing Resources

- Alcoholics Anonymous Singapore

- National Addictions Management Service

- WE CARE Community Services Limited

- Teen Challenge Singapore

- The National Addiction Management Services

- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Gaps and Their Causes

- Mostly all underage drinkers are caused by their peers around them having peer influencing an individual to join them for a drink. Which youth gather together to have a drink and to have fun that helps the youth to feel relax and escape their stress from their school work etc. In addition, it reduces their inhibited that makes an individual feel at ease when socialising with their friends, chatting and having fun while drinking.

- Next, one of the main reasons is a growing tolerance for social drinking. Nowadays, it's not uncommon for adults to drink socially in front of children. Hence, this set of behavior will make children think that it is alright to drink as well. This causes them to model their parents behaviour which causes drinking from a young age.

{My parents are non-alcoholic drinkers but my relatives are like any other typical Singaporean uncles and aunties who loves to consume alcohol even when there is no special occasions like Chinese New Year. As such, I started to learn to drink as there will be many leftover beer cans at home which look tempting to me as I have always wondered what's so nice/interesting about beer that my relative loves to consume them as much as I love coke. I tried it and it somehow got to me that there is nothing nice about it but something about it just make me feel so calmed. This lead me to getting addicted to drinking when I was in secondary 4. I would drink every night at home to calm my mind from all the stress and worries I have to deal with during the day due to the preparation of my major exams, O Levels. After a few months of that routine, I found that I would feel light-headed frequently and would faint out of nowhere even if I had eaten. My parents bought me to the doctor and found out that I have very low blood sugar due to the amount of alcohol in my body.}

- Parent’s neglect of their child’s adolescence period. During the adolescence period, teens tend to be more sensitive when they are not able to receive the attention they needed their parents. They will then try to be problematic and cause trouble for themselves or for parents, usually so that they will get their parents’ attention. Thereupon, parents should pay more attention to their child especially during adolescence, and monitor their child activities at all time.

- Furthermore, if a child does not receive the affection and attention they seek from their parents or family, they will turn to their friends as an "alternate" family and seek guidance from them. If the friends they mix with are a bad crowd that participate in deviant activities like underage drinking, the child is more likely to participate in them as well to fit in with the friend group.

{My friend who was 16 at the time had been pressured into underage drinking at her void deck. She was accompanied by two boys that were 18 and felt the need to fit in by drinking with them. Underage drinking is already illegal in itself, but so is drinking in public. She did not care for the consequences as she was too worried about being left out.}

[11]

- Also, alcohol is easily accessible. Even convenient stores such as 7-Eleven have alcohol for sale. It is not tough for these youths to get them as they are able to ask their legal-age friends to purchase it for them.

- In addition, it is due to the curiosity. They are interested or have a desire to find out what it feels like to be high or intoxicated causing them to have the first drink. Subsequently, this behaviour when not monitored will lead to alcohol abuse.

- Ease of applying for credit cards as means to sustain drinking habit. There are even credit companies that do not require adult consent for those aged 18 to apply. Thus, this will cause youths to spend more money on drinking. [need reference]

-There also has been an increasing number of night spots in Singapore. This outlets may become areas for youths to socialise and there is a likelihood that they will drink. [need reference]

https://drugfree.org/parent-blog/top-8-reasons-teens-try-alcohol-drugs/ Popular media. A lot of shows portray actors and idols drinking. Youths would be compelled to mimic them as well. An avenue to relieve stress. Some teens face problems and emotional struggles in their growing years and they turn to drinking to alleviate their worries, escape reality and make them feel good. Boredom. They seek fulfilment in their lives. Some might turn to turn to drinking and similar youths to fill the emptiness within themselves. Rebellion. Instant gratification. They enjoy immediate stimulants and temporary happiness. Lack of self-confidence. http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/worry-over-young-binge-drinkers a way to break away from insecurities and enjoy themselves. Misinformation. Wrong information spread to the teen by peers. Hence, they do not know the real consequences of drinking.

Possible Solutions

- Educating the youth allowing them to know the potential risk of underage drinking

- Reduce commercial and social availability of alcohol

- Excise taxes

- Increase age of drinking consumption. For instance, Malaysia intends to raise the drinking age from 18 to 21 to prevent prevent underage drinking and limit the accessibility of alcohol to high-risk groups.

- Engage youths in many activities such as sports, events so that they may not turn to drugs or alcohol.

- An emphasis on normative education that reinforces the awareness that most adolescents do not use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs (USA)

- Structured, broad-based skills training, such as goal setting, stress management, communication skills, general social skills, and assertiveness skills (USA)

- Alternative court options for alcohol related misdemeanors for adults should be available and include education, treatment options and drug testing along with a screening process to determine appropriate level of intervention and use of predictive factors to focus treatment (Alaska)

- Parents talk with child if there has been a history of alcoholism in the family — being open with them will encourage them to share their problems with parents

- Parents of child should lead by example. For instance, they should refrain drinking in front of their children or even stop drinking at all.

- Monitor children’s activities during adolescence

- Strengthening family bonding

- The National Addiction Management Services offers advice on all types of addiction problems. This service is located in Buangkok View and can be contacted on 6389 2387 (Singapore)

- Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who support each other in an attempt to quit alcohol. There are meetings in a number of places in Singapore and they can be contacted on 6475 0890. (Singapore)

-There are many Singaporeans who decided to travel further afield in search of help for their addiction. The Drug and Alcohol Rehab Asia is the leading destination for those looking for quality treatment in Asia.

- We Care Centre offers support for anyone affected by addiction in Singapore. They can be contacted on 6471 5346.

-[12]

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Need to avoid crime and delinquency

[Highest form of crime is shop theft and it is after school. ask CARE for research report]

- To avoid crime, making sure youths are well engaged and occupied in school works. - Counselling provided by schools in a period of time. To check mental health, situations at home or problems they may face. This will avoid future crimes committed or rebellion.

Need to avoid drug abuse

- To avoid drug abuse, prevention programmes such as workshops and school talks can be properly implemented in youths' everyday life from education like school to household like parenting.

- Using programmes, youths are exposed to different risks that drug abuse can bring. Perception of drugs would then be changed as they are aware of the consequences. When youths are heavily exposed to substances the consequences are bad as they might face the damages to their brain at a young age which will lead to more risks. So preventing it from a young age by raising awareness in schools and at home can help youths to think before turning to drug abuse.

-[Using the universal programme, it addresses risk and protective factors common to all children in a setting such as school or community. Selective programmes would work too as it targets a group of children and teens who have factors that put them at increased risk of drug use. Last but not least it is the Indicated programme as it is designed for youth who have already begun using drugs. Prevention is better than cure.] [13]

-[Communication is a key factor in avoiding drug abuse. Talking to someone and being honest may prevent casual drug use from turning it into drug abuse. Focus on the behavior of the person and not the individual, as drug use is dangerous but it does not mean he/she is a bad person.] [ Parents can also talk to their children about drug abuse, so the youths will know the serious consequences of drug abuse and not start taking drugs. ] [14]

-[Avoiding Temptation and Peer Pressure. If you have friends or family who are pressuring you to consume drugs, avoid them. Make new friends who practice healthier habits, who do well in school and are motivated to work for their goals.] [15]

-[Practice healthier Living Habits. Exercise, eat well or even meditate as these are excellent ways to avoid using drugs and recover from it by substituting dopamine with adrenaline. This makes managing stress and trauma easily manageable.]

- [16] the website also explained the top 10 ways to help youth avoid drug abuse and it stated that parents, public, government all plays apart in helping youths

Need to avoid drug subsection a

- According to The Strait Times, a story of Jesscia of her trying on drug. She has tried on weed when she was 15 years old. She has been on weed from 15 years old until she was in polytechnic. When she was in polytechnic, she and her friends would be smoking at the school toilet or nearby park or went to somebody house on a high drug. She has been arrected and caught for drug comsumption and be placed on a year's probation. [17]

The Effects of Drug Abuse [this section needs references]

On teens - Emotional problems. Drug abuse can cause or mask emotional problems such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, suicidal thoughts and schizophrenia. In fact, among teens with major depression, 34.6 percent report using drugs. Unfortunately, drug use can also increase the severity of these emotional problems. For example, teens that use marijuana weekly double their risk of depression and anxiety.

- Behavioral problems. Teens who abuse drugs have an increased risk of social problems, depression, suicidal thoughts and violence. According to a recent survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, teens who abuse drugs are more likely than teens who don’t abuse drugs to engage in delinquent behaviors such as fighting and stealing.

- Addiction and dependence. Studies prove that the younger a person is when they begin using drugs the more likely they are to develop a substance abuse problem and relapse later in life.

- Risky sex. Teens that use drugs are five times more likely to have sex than teens who don’t use drugs. Teens that use drugs are also more likely to have unprotected sex and have sex with a stranger. This leads to higher risks of STDs, teen pregnancy and sexual assault.

- Learning problems. Drug abuse damages short-term and long-term memory and can lead to problems with learning and memory later in life.

- Diseases. Teens who abuse drugs with needles increase their risk of blood-borne diseases like HIV, AIDS and Hepatitis B and C.

- Brain damage. Drug abuse among teens can result in serious mental disorders or permanent, irreversible damage to the brain or nervous system. Brain damage among teens who abuse drugs includes brain shrinkage; impaired learning abilities; amnesia and memory problems; impaired reasoning, perception and intuition; increased or decreased socialization; and changes in sexual desire.

- Car accidents. Teenagers who abuse drugs are more likely to be involved in car accident-related injuries or death. One study showed that 4 to 14 percent of drivers who are injured or die in traffic accidents test positive for THC.

- Lack of emotional and physical control. Youths might start bullying others as a form of reliving their stress as part of the lack of physical control. if they do not have the access of drugs, they would have to do other things to relieve their stress. Adding on, drug abusers are emotionally immature as they are stuck in negative emotions.

In General

- Serious consequences of abuse can include severe acne, heart disease, liver problems, stroke, infectious diseases, depression, and suicide. Drug combinations. A particularly dangerous and common practice is the combining of two or more drugs.

- Article from National Institutes of Health (NIH) highlights that drug abuse can cost mental health problems such as Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, ADHD and Antisocial personality disorder.

- Cocaine addiction can cause chronic pulmonary conditions that increase the risk of heart attack. Heart disease in itself is common to chronic cocaine users, due to the overexertion of the heart as a result of the drug’s stimulant effects. Cocaine users also experience perforated or deviated septums, strokes and heart attacks (the latter two conditions a result of exceeding high blood pressure and tachycardia overtaxing the heart). Additionally, cocaine can also lead to a heightened risk for cancer and associations have been made between the drug and lung cancer, particularly in freebasing users.

- Benzodiazepines — also known as “benzos” — are sedating drugs given mainly for anxiolytic purposes. Chronic users of benzodiazepines can experience abdominal problems and fatal blood clots. Additionally, the reproductive system becomes affected by benzodiazepine addiction, and can lead to loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction and birth defects in children of addicted and pregnant mothers

- Ketamine, a powerful dissociative narcotic, can also lead to physical and psychological damage after long-term use. With chronic abuse, ketamine addiction can cause a condition known as “Olney’s lesions,” where vacuoles begin to form within the brain, affecting cognition, learning and memory. Ecstasy can cause psychological conditions, such as severe depression, dissociative disorders, and Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), a flashback-producing condition that also occurs with LSD use and can persist long after Ecstasy addiction subsides. PCP can cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), seizures and paralysis with chronic use.

- Opiates — a class of potent narcotics spanning from heroin, morphine and codeine to prescription painkillers — can cause a host of long-term physical diseases and conditions. Opiate users, particularly those who inject, are at high risk for hepatitis and HIV transmission from needle-sharing. Collapsed veins can also result from chronic injection of opiates. Heroin use can cause long-term digestive issues, including a form of chronic constipation that is highly dangerous while addiction persists.

- Amphetamines, the drug take an unimaginable toll on the body. Common conditions associated with amphetamines addiction include insomnia, anorexia and eyesight degradation. Amphetamine-addicted individuals also can experience stunted growth, hypertension, frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and hyperactivity. Amphetamines can also cause a condition known as dermatitis, the development of skin disease. Liver and heart disease are also associated with amphetamine addiction.

- Methamphetamine, it can cause a host of physical conditions, ranging from liver damage to lung disease. Meth can irreparably damage the brain’s blood vessels, incite hypertension (high blood pressure), and create an compromised state (making the body more susceptible to diseases, infections and cancers). Methamphetamine abuse can also cause heart disease, stroke occurrence, and severe depression or mania in users.

- Inhalant abuse — the inhalant of household and industrial chemicals colloquially known as “huffing” — can also lead to a host of chronic physical conditions. In addition to instantaneous death caused by Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome, inhalant abuse can lead to tachycardia, heart disease and an array of damage to the vital organs, including diseases of the liver, kidney and lungs. Chronic bronchitis can arise from inhalant abuse, and some inhalant-addicted individuals also encounter tremors and chronic grand mal seizures.

Subjective Concerns about Effects of Drugs

Side effects

- Some drugs such as Marijuana are known to have positive medicinal effects on one that could possibly improve one's health condition. On the other hand, it is a double-edged sword which could have negative effect on one as well. When using Marijuana, chemicals from the drug may travel from your bloodstream to other vital parts of your body. This could result in increased heart rate and slower coordination of actions etc. Marijuana can cause a host of lung problems, particularly chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It can also increase the risk of lung cancer, depression and amotivational syndrome.

Religion playing a part in the decision of using drugs - Religion may play a part in people's decision to use drugs - For some religion, some may think that using drugs is a sin and should never be done, however, some others may be okay with the use of drugs. - For people who are very religious, they would refrain from using drugs and will view it as something bad. With this mindset, it may cause them to misunderstand those who use drugs and will automatically think that they are doing something bad. - Religion tends to control people by doing drugs. Religion helps "stabilize" oneself as it helps one control one's desire as Religion provides a guideline or a set of rules for one to follow.Those who are religious tend to follow these rules. However, this is not the case for all teens.

Conflicting views that society holds - When someone uses drugs, one automatically judges that it is "not right" and would look down on these people who use drugs. - Even from the older times, traditionally, it is deemed to be wrong to use drugs and people would judge these drug users and look down on them. These drug users would also be seen as the people who do not contribute to society constructively. - Also, one can be easily influenced by what others around us think. For example, if our friends and family view drug usage as a bad thing, we would not question why they think that way and automatically believe that what they think is right. - With such conflicting views, drug users are deemed to be "criminals" of the society as they are doing something that is against social norms. - Society wants the drug abusers to be rehabilitate into a beneficial citizen, however when one has a history of drug abuse, all opportunities for them are gone, which could let them return to drugs due to being rejected by society.

Different views from different societies - As we all know, Singapore is extremely strict about drug issues. However some other countries like Portugal, Uruguay and Netherlands are more tolerant on drug issues. In fact, Portugal decriminalized drug usage in 2001 and Uruguay was also the first country which legalized the consumption of drugs such as marijuana. Marijuana, or Cannabis, are sold all over coffee shops in Netherlands and pharmacies in Uruguay and they can be bought for personal use. Recreational marijuana is tolerated by the people and even the authorities there as well. Moreover, marijuana is the most misused illegal item in the world as many people claim that they consume it as it is less dangerous as compared to heroin.

Subjective Concerns about Drug Use in Singapore

-Concern 1: Influence towards the younger generation According to a research done by YoungParents.com.sg, kids are easily influence by adults. Another article by ChannelNewsAsia, it can be seen that many new Yuppies are not afraid using drugs. What is interesting about this 2 articles is that these yuppies will end up being parents who are not afraid of the uses of drugs. Influence of parents may affect the children.

-Concern 2: Future= {I know someone who had a great future ahead of him. However due to influence, he left it all behind. He has been in and out of jail now. Is there a way to change these people? It used to believe this help can be given however, success rates for people to recover are low.}

-Concern 3: More education on drugs {Personally, in my whole 13 plus years in school, I've only attended 2 COMPULSORY seminar for education on Drug Abuse. There should be more. According to Channel News Asia, Yuppies are not as scared of drugs as they were before. Is there a need for students to learn about the dangers more?}

- Different people have different opinions on drug abuse in Singapore. Generally speaking, usage of drugs in Singapore are frowned upon, and getting caught trafficking drugs could result in death penalty, life imprisonment, etc. Singapore implemented so many programmes (as stated above) for adolescents, so as to expose them to the negative effects of drugs and hope that they can stay away from it. So, what do the different people in society think about people who use drugs?

- Government: The Singapore government place utmost importance on fighting against drugs. Also, it is obvious that they really frown upon the idea of drugs in Singapore, making the fight against drugs a "national priority".

- Activists: There are different sides each activists choose to take, but most of them, after digging deeper into the use of drugs in Singapore and its consequences, choose to campaign against the death penalty. In addition, there are many others, who felt that regardless of the crime, death penalty is too harsh, and that it shows how Singapore "shows flagrant disregard for human life." Most agree that while they should be punished, the capital punishment should not be used as one has no right to take the life of another.

- Youths: As much as the government tries to expose our youths to the negative consequences of drugs and educate them not to do drugs, it has been reported that many youths today felt that drug isn't a serious issues, and take a liberal attitude towards drugs. (as stated above about how laid back youths are about drugs)

Central Narcotics Bureau: https://www.cnb.gov.sg/drugsituationreport/drugsituationreport2016.aspx [18]

Channels News Asia: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/yuppie-drug-abusers-are-on-the-rise-and-checking-into-s-19-000-a-8753548

Government on drugs: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-to-make-fight-against-drugs-a-national-priority-shanmu-8710276 http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/reckless-irresponsible-decriminalise-drug-use-says-shanmugam

Activists on drugs: https://www.opendemocracy.net/drugpolicy/kirsten-han/how-discovering-truth-about-singapore-s-war-on-drugs-led-me-to-campaign-to-abolish-death https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2017/10/singapore-executions-continue-in-flawed-attempt-to-tackle-drug-crime/

Subjective Concerns about Drug Use outside of Singapore

Country 1: United States of America - Have competing views on drug use. - In the older times, the concern was that marijuana is a dangerous drug as it can destroy an individual brain cells. - In recent times, the view on marijuana has change. People now view Marijuana as a type of medicine. This is so as the effects of Marijuana have been seen to not harm humans but to help them. It have been proven to help with illnesses such as Glaucoma, an eye disease.

Country 2: United Kingdom - Concern on the effect of drug abuse. - 46% of the British view that the effect of drug abuse will lead to the decrease of the levels of street crime if the drugs were decriminalized. - On the other hand, 54% said that it would make no difference. This further supports the stand where it won't make a difference as 95% say that they have never committed a criminal act to fund their purchase of drugs. - Thus, one side view the function of drugs to be the cause of the increasing rates of crime and the other view it differently.

References: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/05/-sp-drug-use-is-rising-in-the-uk-but-were-not-addicted

Existing Resources

-YARE: youth at risk engagement framework, preventing risk of offending. CYGO appointed 10 agencies. But each agency have their own way of running their program, eg sprots, or adventure based couselling or C&C.

-Youth crime prevention roadshow and anti-drug campaigns (NYGR).

-Enhanced STEP-UP A is more preventive (about 70%), B is remedial (almost at rate of dropping out)

-Honorary Volunteer Special Constabulary (VSC) School Scheme. Help schools and Institute of Technical Education (ITEs) better manage student delinquency by extending police authority to the personnel such as Discipline Masters, Teachers as teacher-cops (NYGR).

-Preventive Drug Education (PDE) DRC Visit Programme. Institutes of Technical Education and VWOs working with youth identify high-risk youth to visit the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) located within the Changi Prison Complex(NYGR).

-Prison Visit Education Programme for Schools (PVEPS). PVEPS targets students who are considered by their schools as high-risk of committing crime due to their school discipline records. The programme aims to deter potential first-time offenders by exposing them to the harshness of prison life. Launched in 2004, PVEPS is a joint initiative by the Singapore Police Force, Singapore Prison Service and Ministry of Education (NYGR).

-School Assembly Talks on Crime Prevention. Organised by the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and Singapore Police Force (SPF)(NYGR).

-YouthCOP also preventive. start at sec 1, finish at sec 4. about 3 years. anti crime ambassadors. work with neighborhood police, who come and train some of the group work sessions. eg take youths on a patrol around the neighborhood. Do door to door visits. prevent crime in neighborhood or prevent crime in school? develop skills and competencies in engaging neighbors. Educate them about crime. Use a risk screening tool, but no very successful, for higher risk youths. for their community youths, the risk is lowered, becuase tool is not sensitive enough. [knowledge gap: a more senstitive tool to measure risk level for moderate risk youths]

Gaps and Their Causes

Doing what we can, but the work done by youth agencies alone cannot be the only work, need family work and structural changes. Youth work focus on competencies and awareness and oppor to build competencies. Family work important.

Trybe: - YARE in midst of being evaluated: schools will help to identify and recommend. in HK the outreach model is high, will knock on doors and talk to parents. But in Singapore, hard to capture those within radar. Schools may not detect all youth at risk or different types of at risk issues. Focus is on visible at risk behaviours, and capturable by schools. How to reach out to youths hanging out at home or in cyberspace. Youth who were past probationers, who refer friend. - Siblings of offenders may also be at risk.

Some drugs not able to detect by urine test.

ADD TO YOUTH WORKER COMPETENCY -The movement by CYGO is to coordinate nationally, prevent silos. YWAS also moving towards that, move towards all encompassing framework, whether paid or volunteer, we want to increase the standard of anyone engaging young persons.(CARE)

-Ecosystem perspective, have ot be able to work with family work, youth centric family work for example.

Signs of Teen Drug Abuse

There are many symptoms of drug abuse, but some of the most common signs your teen is abusing drugs are:

- Problems with the law, such as DUI, breaking curfew, stealing, etc.

- Problems at school, such as excessive tardiness, poor grades, suspension, etc.

- Mood swings

- Loss of interest in favorite activities

- Drug paraphernalia

- Violent behavior

- Withdrawal

- Depression

- Poor hygiene

- Missing money

Possible Solutions

Get probation youth to refer friends to YARE--a group that have not offended. Especially for youths who have been exposed to drug use. eg reach out to youths who have tried once, but not caught. youth ambassadors cna be used to detetc and refer.

- Keep these youths under close watch and provide them with the necessary support to stop. - Encourage more family involvement as the teens may have lacked parental supervision or did not have a proper parental figure .

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Need for juveniles to be rehabilitated and reintegrated

Need for guidance and mentoring - from youth perspective, it is having proper guidance and adult mentor.

Definition of rehabilitation: it means that they are going to be corrected and learn form their mistakes.

Existing Resources

Restorative coaching, mentoring

Community-Based Rehabilitation -Court-Ordered Options for Offenders -Pre-Court Diversionary Programme (Guidance Programme) for first time offenders

Institutional Rehabilitation -MSF administered Youth Residential Service (Singapore Boys' Home and Singapore Girls' Home) -Aftercare Service after they leave juvenile homes

Gaps and Their Causes

Not equipped to deal with youths with mental health related issues; eg in YARE program, diagnosed with mental health issue...whether youths are responsive to seeing a psychologist. Detection of signs, but not clear what to do. For serious ones, can refer if in court order. after release, not keep up with appointments?

Possible Solutions

equipping youth workers with mental health knowledge.

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Need for positive family support and parenting

Not much supervision at home. Captures latchkey to dysfunctional families. Just knowing where your kids are day to day, the higher risk families do not know. Very little involvement in their schooling, eg when their examsa re, whether they do their homework, who their friends are.

Children who feel a lack of attention from parent's may even start using drugs and taking alcohol. Without guidance from family, children may not know why it is wrong to abuse drugs and alcohol. Parents who do not set good examples may cause their children to be influenced by them. Such as taking up their parents habit of drinking alcohol at home. Children may secretly take a sip of parents drinks.

Low-income families, both parents spend their whole time working, or someone incarcerated. Blended families and single parent families...but typically lower income as well. Maybe even four room. rarely five room flat dwellers will have these issues. Blended family - problem because of previous problems, eg biological parents incarcerated. typically a host of problems. when marriage breaks down, whether rich or poor, it affects the child. But doubly hard if you are from low-income family. eg remarry because of incarceration. sometimes have live in boyfrineds or grilfriends. unstable family context for child.

-Besides school guidance, it is important to have good role models for parents. Parents are the first immediate form of socialization. Youths and children have to be guided, disciplined and taught the right things. Such as being positive, hanging out with the right peers, being a good student that follows school rules and laws. Family is a really important factor for a child's behavior and attitude. If the children are brought up to be well-disciplined and obedient, they will not end up doing drugs or alcohol.

Existing Resources

MSF's FamilyMatters!@School equips parents and young adults with skills to nurture positive family relationships. We work closely with schools, parent support groups and parent volunteers so that parents can easily get access to family life programmes that help them better connect with their children (MSF website)

BeaconWorks Programme for parents and children experiencing strained relationships, as alternative to avoid filing a Beyond Parental Control Order (NYGR)

Youths-Hanging-Out-Late letters notifying parents, by the Singapore Police Force (NYGR)

Some of the diversionary program - parent is mandated to attend parental workshops. A lot depend on openness of parent. Ability to apply in real world context...other stresses, eg financial and employment.

Kidstart program (MSF)

[a study to show that most youths in hostels have troubled families...parenting tends to be root of a child's problems...need to rehabilitate parents as well as youth]

Gaps and Their Causes

Those parents that turn up for parent training programmes are not those who need it most. Such programmes reach out to the converted, but you need to reach out to those who do not come. Need to draw in those who may not be keen, recruit with the mind that they will be committed to their child for a period of time.

Such families are picked up by FSCs, but unclear if the youths receive some support. Possibly lack of cooridnation or integrtaion with FSC and SCS an isisue.

Dual-income families, parents lack time to spend with children

Parents not equipped with the skills and resources to raise children well

Cyber risk - children are exposed to the internet at a young age, insufficiently equipped to discern online content

- Parents do not have full control of their children's behaviour. School and peers would have impact their children's way of thinking. What happens outside of their home can differ from home. E.g. peer pressure (theft).

- Parents with problems of their own that they can't solve, they will be less likely to focus on their children. These youths and their family situations (e.g. financial problem, gambling and vices) might cause children to rebel or commit the same doings.

Possible Solutions

Making sure that mentoring should be the pillars of youth work. Cannot say mentoring is optional, have to do this. Sociological theories say the impact of one caring adult is very important. Therefore, a certain proportion of our youths will need to avail themselves to such ‘surrogate parents’. If we can secure available and well trained caring concerned mentors as part of our ecosystem. Go for a few months, be there, be their friend. (check: CYGO did a pilot 5-6 years ago. Because MCYS split…so not sure where it is now).

- make sure

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Need to complete education

[complete or thrive?][Whatever path they take, they need to feel proud of it, positive in life]

Youth workers have said keeping troubled youth engaged in school remains a worrying issue because of social problems such as broken families and Internet addiction.(Today 17 Feb 2015)

MOE statistics show that less than 1 per cent of each Primary One cohort in the last five years has failed to complete secondary school. -ITE does not share drop-out rates. But can make estimate.

-Anecdotal: At very minimum must complete their school. Bonus if they do well. The longer they stay in school, the better. More sheltered environment than if they go out to work. then less likely to progress up in career. in other countries, less of a paper chase (SCS).

- Education helps keep a child occupied and less likely to be involved in such vices (drugs and alcohol). It educates them as well us teach them the 'norms', 'what good conduct is' and the right behaviour.

Existing Resources

MSF's Enhanced STEP-UP [19] [Will this be scaled down after ISP?]

MOE's School Social Work - known as student welfare officers, they will help facilitate the use of community resources to provide holistic support for students and their families. Example, in certain cases, such as marital discord, the complex and difficult family circumstances of some students go beyond what the form teachers and school counsellor can typically advise or handle. As a representative from the school, student welfare officers sometimes find that the students’ families are more responsive and cooperative as we work together on the common goal to maximise the child’s potential(Today 17 Feb 2015)

-NCSS doing something also (to check)

Students Care Service Scholarships and Bursaries http://www.students.org.sg/scholarships-bursaries/

Gaps and Their Causes

If intervention only comes in at the Enhances Step-up pahse, the success will not be very high. more early intevrnetion or developmental work. Not easy for agencies after referral, the youth already not going to school...really tough work.

On School Social Work - students may be more comfortable sharing their feelings with youth workers who are not part of the school (Palvindran Jayram, an acting team leader with the Lutheran Community Care Services) (Today 17 Feb 2015)

In 2012, a National Institute of Education study involving 3,000 youth revealed that youth gamers spent about 20 hours a week on gaming and about 10 per cent of them displayed symptoms of obsessive video gaming.(Today 17 Feb 2015)

-Anecdotal, SCS: ITE students don't stay in school because they are working part time, they have financial needs, may be form single parent families. they work to earn the pocket money that they need. Some find ITE work tough. Higher NITEC more theoretical, so harder to cope. even if have tuition, wont be able to afford it. Also get into a course they may not like, even ITE has grades requirements. Dumping ground is facilities management, or megatronics. F&B are popular. kids enjoy hands on. Girls like beauty and hair, but hard to get in. Accounting and nursing not easy to get in, more financial support for nursing. Check educational stats digest by MOE.

Enhanced step up and school social work also just part of the parcel. focus is on youth. but need focus on family. check literature on school drop outs. in US, predictors could be like retain many times. or parental education, SES etc. so these are very hard for VWO to intervene, how to intervene if parents low income and don't value education.

"When they intervene, it is mainly psycho-social because they cannot intervene in the structure" while psycho-social factors is one thing, low self esteem, low motivation. But if you look at the Maslow hierarchy, if basic needs are not met, can't intervene at one level up. (SCS: Liz)

-Schools are better at building teacher – student relationship. MOE recognises this, besides the desired outcome of education, also start to cater to socio-emotional needs: enhanced career officer, school counsellors…etc but fall short of wrap around school-student-family support. Cannot go full swing because MSF will never set up satellite FSCs in school. These FTSCs and school social workers are doing it alone. VWOs have advantage of doing it with the full support of an organisation. (CARE).

Possible Solutions

Pay the parents to send the kids to school. Some developing country tried this.

Community warp around the school: -Unless community adopt the school. Search Institute (Minneapolis)-health communities, healthy schools. Developmental Assets. Community wrap around the school. 'Holographic fidelity': My whole community knows that we are youth-centric and youth friendly. Protective factor-if youth no behaving well, they take it upon themselves. “The community gets the youth it deserves.”

- Conduct a compulsory counselling session for children at least once every 6 months. To keep check on youths situations, their mental health, problems in order to prevent bad conduct.

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Need to be meaningfully engaged and supervised for social and moral development

[meaningfully engaged different from social and moral development...might be two separate need statements; should we include 'moral' in the statement] [possible specify and clarify the areas within this need, eg need to be connected to prosocial peer groups]

[ADD A POSITIVE PEER INFLUENCE OR PEER GROUP OR BELONGING] -programs to help them mingle or get to know

-Latchkey kids who have nothing constructive to do.

-Need to focus on emerging issues: sexual grooming, virtual marriages and sexting; is too much cosplay or virtual reality a concern? [How can youth workers keep updated on these trends, which are changing very fast?]

Existing Resources

AFTER SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT

Students Care Centres (SCCs) that are licensed and regulated by MSF, for school-going children aged 7-14 (primary 1 to secondary 2). Every primary school will have one SCC to look after latchkey students with subsidies, means-tested.

MSF's Youth GO! Programme (YGP) - a youth outreach programme which is modelled after well-established street outreach services overseas such as Hong Kong's. Care Corner appointed for the North East and Fei Yue for the North West and South West districts respectively.[20]

Gaps and Their Causes

Youth workers do not do very much at the drop in centres. kids who like to do homework. Should run it, becuase where else will they go? So if they hav CCAs, they dont need to come. The kids that nobody wants. Or the kids who end up in CCAs that they dont like. CCAs have entry requirments. eg auditions, sports. uniform groups are dumping ground, or AV club will absorb. community service clubs, different shcools have different niche. Drop in centres design based on needs of youths? Structured programme, eg monday is football, tuesday is...based on interest of the workers, eg if they like baking. In the holidays, the drop in centres, there are more activities.

AFTER SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT -teachers do it just like another academic programme…therefore need for youth engagement and specialists who know how to do this; when teachers run it, ends up to be ‘homework supervision’. -instead, good activities could be: engagement centres, interest space, service learning.

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Leadership opportunities should be open to youth at risk as well, and not just the creme de la creme. 'Premium products' need not be limited for only elite youth. Certain youth at risk have the potential to be leaders, and such leadership programmes should be open to them, but tweaked to accommodate the support they require given difficult personal circumstance because the factors that placed them at risk may still be present. If you do not groom them, the youth at risk with leadership potential, the the gangs will take them. Not good enough that they don’t get into a life of crime. More can be done (Care).

Possible Solutions

Improve CCA absorptive capacity?

use youths at drop in centres to update youth agencies on youth trends

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Need for youth workers to be adequately equipped to engage youths

[ADD CAPABILITY BUILDING NEED: need funding and resources for upstream work for VWOs]

Existing Resources

Development framework for Youth Workers (DYW) by CYGO

Social Media Resource Kit by CYGO

Students Care Service training & consultancy; guides http://www.students.org.sg/training-consultancy/ -most are supervision services, for agencies who dont have enough supervision. for clinical social work supervision. if have crisis or suicide case, what protocol. the places that buy supervisioon are those that work with youth.

SSI has lots of training for youth workers

Youth workers skills need to change as youth's needs are changing. but skills not particularly lakcing, eg outreach...lacking resources but not skills. being updated with youth trends. be ahead of what youth are interested in. if just go down to schools to engage youths, developemntal or preventive programs dont need, but have social workers have oversight for higher risk cases or remedial cases.

only VWOs have access to schools, not informal groups eg church.

Gaps and Their Causes

-Peace's study: whether there is enough supervision for social workers for youth. lack of quality supervision for social worker may lead to retention issues.

-a lot of learning on the job, from peers, and learning from the youths...hearing from the youths themselves, on how they would like to be engaged.

-useful to understand the developmental stages of youth, eg psychological background. Others may not have that knowledge but enagge with them well.

-Not enough Malay Muslim Organisations engaged in youth work? Mendaki works with youths only through agencies and partners; AMP also move out of it. Maybe because too difficult, very hard work. For CARE, 40-45% clientele are Malay Muslims, therefore CARE has made a conscious decision to employ Malay Muslim youth workers, and Malaysians who are trilingual.

Possible Solutions

-sharing program, get youths to give intel on how to engage youth.

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Need for holistic information on youth at risk

Existing Resources

Youth information System (YIS) shares information on Singapore's youth-at-risk among MOE, MHA and MSF (YIS.)

Gaps and Their Causes

ESU meets ESU, YARE meets YARE...but not all agencies run these programs. CYGO only gather for specific purposes, eg metoring initiatve.

Resource gap: E.g. Boystown staff drive a van to pick up delinquents who stay out late. but no everyone can do that. they go to hotpots for youth and pick them up. resources to reach out to the streets are lacking...but the instituinalised resources. ESU B is outreach, so hard to do. outreach work for higher risk youth hard to do, not low risk ones, easy to do.

Home visits, knocking on doors for hard to reach youths. with no clear sense of success. hard to convince people to pay for it.

as they long as they stay in school, easy to find the, if drop out, hard to find them. But need to engage them in school. a lot of programmes focus on bonding with classmates and peers. friendship and peer culture, fit in.

Possible Solutions

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Resource Directory

Landscape of Youth At Risk Services See CYGO Slide no. 10 for Landscape of Services

About 10 key organisations here will take over the state's existing programmes to guide and rehabilitate young people under 21 who get into trouble. main youth programmes to be centralised through these organisations - called Integrated Service Providers (ISPs) hopefully making the quality consistent. The three programmes the ISPs will run are "Guidance", "Enhanced Step-Up", and "Triage". They are currently run by charities and youth organisations that target teens who have committed petty offences for the first time, those who have dropped out of school and young offenders. (ST 14 Nov 2016)

ISP Programmes ST 16 Nov 2016 • The Triage which stations social workers at police division headquarters to assess the risks and needs of youth offenders. Social workers located at police stations to decide if need GPs.

• The Guidance Programme to divert first-time offenders who have committed minor offences from the court system and towards counselling and rehabilitation.

• The Enhanced Step-Up programme which works with those likely to drop out of school.

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Government

National Committee on Youth Guidance and Rehabilitation

NYGR

Chairman - Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Desmond Lee (ST 4 Nov 2015)

Whole-of-Government committee on youth delinquency and crime. It has representation from agencies with a stake in reducing youth delinquency: Education, community and social services, health, police, prisons, Central Narcotics Branch, National Youth Council, Attorney-General, the Courts. There are also representatives also from the academia and ethnic self-help groups. Set up in 1995 to coordinate efforts between government agencies, the courts and community groups to reduce juvenile delinquency.

Central Youth Guidance Office

CYGO

Executive arm and Secretariat of the National Committee on Youth Guidance and Rehabilitation (NYGR). Sets policies and strategies across the entire (youth) offending spectrum.

Youth GO! Programme [21] by MSF

National Youth Council

https://www.nyc.gov.sg/

NCSS Children and Youth Team

https://www.gov.sg/sgdi/ministries/msf/statutory-boards/ncss/departments/spd/departments/spdcyf

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VWOs with Youth Programmes

Lakeside FSC

http://www.lakeside.org.sg/

-strong children and youth programme, youth wing -ACE football -repurtation for youth work

AMK FSC

https://www.amkfsc.org.sg/

youth work

Fei Yue

http://www.fycs.org/

Beyond Social Services

http://beyond.org.sg/

ADD Malay agencies

check self help groups, jamiyah home

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Specialist Youth Agencies

Beautiful People

Beautiful People began as a mentorship programme for at-risk teenage girls under Beyond Social Services, an organisation that works with disadvantaged youth. now supports 100 girls and women each year through their programmes, up from around 10 a year when it first started in 2006.founder, Ms Melissa Kwee Free for Good, a programme that helps female inmates reintegrate into society upon their release. Heroes' Journey, a mentorship programme for teenage boys, its first for males. Mentorship programmes for teenagers run officially for a year at Beautiful People's partner homes such as Gracehaven and Pertapis Centre for Women and Girls. ST 26 May 2016 [22]

Boys' Town

Executive Director - Irene Loi

"Boys' Town will not be tendering to be an ISP, as it prefers to retain its niche of reaching out to young people in the streets."We prefer to focus on what we have been doing all along," (Irene Loi, in ST 14 Nov 2016)

https://www.boystown.sg/

Youthreach - remind Trybe to link up

Care Corner

ISP

http://www.carecorner.org.sg/

Crossroad youth centre and teck ghee youth centre - trybe can refer.

Children-At-Risk Empowerment (Care) Association

http://www.care.sg

Executive Director - Dr John Tan

Schools Social Work, Counselling & Case Work, Outreach & Youth Mentoring, Sports Partnership, Parents & Teacher Training

REACH Youth

Reach Youth (Reach Youth site) by Reach Community Services Society (Reach corporate site)

Life coaching, counseling, sports, tuition, bursary.

Singapore Children's Society

https://www.childrensociety.org.sg/

Students Care Service

Integrated Service Provider

School based social work, centre-based and community-based services.

For Primary & Secondary Schools: -School Social Work for Youth & Children (SYNC) -The Scaffold Programme (TSP) -Youth Community on Patrol (COP) -After School Engagement Programmes (ASE) -Enhanced Step-Up -Training & Consultation for Teachers & Parents

For ITE Colleges: -Strengths & Spurs -Buddy ‘IN (for ITE Colleges & Special Education Schools)

3 Centres: Clementi, Hougang & Yishun. Educational Psychology Assessment Training & Research arm are in Tiong Bahru.

-NT & NA - academically under-performing -Guidance Program - diversionary program, 6 months. if not breach them, then they go to court. MSF protocol. first time offenders. -school identify them as low attendance rate, behavioral problems. go counselling or engage to run group work sessions. (usually for NT & NA) -Youth COP has mixed needs, modelling. cannot run a program that is all high risk. also run problem of puttin bad eggs together. -Drop-in centres: Clementi & Hougang, or in school. social worker there. community youths - from neighborhood schools. no positive activities to engage in after school. -true football. -those in school who have higher count of detention, versus just nothing to do. -Students Care Service also runs educational psychology program for youths, use pre-post test. mainly for learning difficulties. sometimes anxiety-related disorders, e.g. selective mutism, where psychologist will do intervention.

http://www.students.org.sg/

TOUCH Youth

TOUCH Youth is a division of Touch Community Services https://www.touch.org.sg/

Trybe

http://www.trybe.org/

Youth Guidance Outreach Service (YGOS)

http://ygos.sg/

[ask trybe to refer]

Youthreach

https://www.youthreach.org.sg/resources/youth-at-risk.html

Joint youth outreach project by Boy's Town and Catholic Welfare Services

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Children and Young Persons Homes

There are 21 Children and Young Persons Homes providing residential care programmes for those from dysfunctional families and in need of shelter; abused or neglected; in need of care and protection; beyond parental control; and in conflict with the Law. ([23] MSF website)

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Professional Associations

Youth Work Association (Singapore)

https://youthworkassociation.org/

youth workers are about 300-400 [WDA study on youth workers]

Check 2005-2006 NYC and NCSS competency framework...for youth workers and volunteers

Association of Psychotherapists and Counsellors (Singapore)

http://apacs.org.sg/

Commonwealth Alliance of Youth Work Associations (CAYWA)

-code of ethics for youth work

Policy Network

Organisations and individuals are welcome to contribute and participate in the Youth At Risk Network. Please contact justin.lee@nus.edu.sg if you would like to be part of this network.

List of organisations in the network

[ADD A RESEARCH SECTION] [ADD a set of questions before hand...then VWOs can prpare]