Singapore (VNA) – A 16-year-old male Singaporean has become the first etomidate abuser admitted to a Singapore Prison Service drug rehabilitation centre (DRC) since etomidate and its analogues were classified as Class C controlled drugs under the country’s Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) on September 1.
Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said he was admitted to the centre on November 27 for two months under the MDA, after being caught for etomidate-related offences on three occasions.
As reported by The Straits Times, etomidate abusers admitted to a DRC will undergo rehabilitation programmes to address their risk of re-offending. These may include psychology-based correctional programmes, family programmes, pro-social support programmes and religious counselling.
On November 14, Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority revoked the long-term visit pass of a 15-year-old Myanmar national after she was found to be in possession of an e-vaporiser pod containing etomidate during a routine check by police officers.
This is the first case of a foreigner’s long-term immigration facility being revoked owing to the possession of an etomidate e-vaporiser, said MHA and HSA.
Under the enhanced anti-vaping framework that came into force on September 1, foreigners caught in possession of or using etomidate e-vaporisers, or who test positive for etomidate, may have their pass or immigration facility revoked. They may then be deported and banned from re-entering Singapore./.
Singapore tightens control over drug-laced vapes
Users of vapes laced with the substance in Singapore will face a fine and mandatory rehabilitation of up to six months instead of just a fine, while importers of etomidate face up to 15 strokes of the cane and a maximum of 20 years in jail, up from a maximum of two years' jail.
