Behavioural Analysis of New and Young Drug Offenders Jasmin Kaur, D.Psych Singapore Prison Service Ministry of Home Affairs 1
Today 2
Stomp, SPH The Straits Times, 27 th July 2015 The New Paper, 30 th July 2015 3
Surveys 463 Non Abusers 237 Drug Abusers Surveys Focus Groups Interviews Focus Groups 109 Non Abusers In-depth Interviews 34 Abusers 4
Young Drug Abusers C a n n a b i s A b u s e r Equal Majority ~ Minority Ethnicity Half High SES Predominantly Minority Ethnicity O t h e r D r u g s ( I C E ) A b u s e r Half Low SES 5
Young Drug Abusers High C a n n a b i s A b u s e r Parental Monitoring Low Absence of Parental Parental Drug Monitoring History Presence of Parental Drug Good History School Achievement O t h e r D r u g s ( I C E ) A b u s e r Below-Average School Achievement 6
Drug Initiation in Youth Underage C a n n a b i s A b u s e r Problem School Smoking Behaviours Drug Peers Prior Arrest O t h e r D r u g s ( I C E ) A b u s e r 7
Drug Initiation in Youth Media Lack of Can n ab i s Ab u ser Influences Perceived Harm “Marijuana could help people… Meth and Heroin is the most harmful drugs” “ Before I first used drugs I “ I got curious because of all CA, 27 years old got my information from the media influence and Tumblr, movies, Twitter. Like from there I know that as in like see photos of it “[There are] zero cannabis is not that harmful consequences to and all… From these I learnt a drug. ” CA, 17 years old cannabis“ CA, 20 that it’s ok to take drugs as O t h e r D r u g s ( I C E ) A b u s e r years old long as you take it moderately. ” CA, 19 years old 8
Worrying Trend Media Lack of Non Dru g Ab u ser Influences Perceived Harm “…my friends do not consider weed a drug, see it as similar to smoking, most “…online media there is of them think weed is fine.” more mention of the NA, 23 yrs old positive sides of taking drugs…so people shrug the negative parts away.” “…studies have shown that NA, 20 yrs old marijuana can help with healing..” NA, 14 yrs old “…pop culture like Ted or Harold & Kumar. They have weed smoking scenes and it all looks fun and normal.” 9 NA, 23 yrs old
Preventive Education Preferred Information Sources Social Media Ex Drug Abusers TV Parents / Teacher / Law Talks Enforcement 10
Preventive Education Preferred Engagement Strategies Co-ordinated Youth Centric across partners & agencies Infused in Curriculum Developmentally appropriate Youth Ownership 11
Differentiated Preventive Drug Education Educate Reason Challenge Developmental (7-12 yrs old) (13-16 yrs old) (17 yrs old and Phases above) Sphere of Influence Family Peers & Media Self Curiosity about drugs Low / No Moderate - High Moderate – High Cognitive Complexity Simple: Emerging: Complex: Concrete Thinking Analytical thinking Decision Making “Why are drugs bad?” “What are the pros and cons “Is this who I want to be?” of drug use?” Skills Building Family bonding Saying “No” to peers Self-control Assessing information Coping & problem reliability solving Mode of delivery Knowledge Transfer Engagement through Engagement through Discussion Discussion Consequences Physical Harm Physical, Social & Legal Physical, Social & Legal Harm Harm Take Home Message “Drugs are HARMFUL” “Drugs are HARMFUL & “Drugs are HARMFUL & ILLEGAL” ILLEGAL for ME” 12
Saving John • Close relationship with his family • Medium SES • No family history of crime or drugs • School achievement good, qualified for polytechnic • Engaged in school activities • Started smoking at 14 years old • Liberal views towards cannabis use • Drug Peers from primary school 13
Recommendations • Parents Toolkit John’s Journey Away from Drugs: – Engage parents to act as anti- drug 7 to 12 years old role models for John – Continue to build close ties within family – Physical harm of drugs clearly articulated • Addressing risk factors – Smoking behaviour could be targeted in psycho-education 14
Recommendations • Parents & Educators Toolkit John’s Journey Away from Drugs: – Parents to increase vigilance on John, 13 to 16 years old while building trust and close ties – Learn about harms of drugs in school curriculum • Use of social media & anti-drug ambassadors – Use social media to counter misperceptions on drug abuse – Hear ex-abusers speak about the difficulties faced after drug abuse – Engage peers to be advocates against drug abuse • Self Development – Teach skills of refusal and information seeking through direct instruction and facilitated discussions 15
Recommendations • Parents & Educators Toolkit John’s Journey Away from Drugs: – Parents may engage John in 17 years old and above discussion – Allow John to find avenues to explore curiosity about drugs, while ensuring the presence of responsible individuals to assist him in decision making • Use of Social Media – Actively use social media to dispute liberal claims on drugs • Self Development – Continue skills building of self-control and problem solving – Encourage personal responsibility and consequences for actions taken – Engage youths to act as advocates against drug abuse 16
Saving One Youth at a Time, Saving a Generation Thank You 17
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