ETOMIDATE ABUSE DEMOGRAPHICS AND REHABILITATION

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1056

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 4 AUGUST 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Gabriel Lam

MP for Sembawang GRC

Question No. 2553

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) what is the demographic profile of persons investigated or admitted for rehabilitation for etomidate abuse, broken down by age group and sex; (b) whether there has been a discernible increase in female abusers; and (c) whether the Ministry has assessed if existing rehabilitation facilities and programmes sufficiently meet the needs of female drug abusers, including those abusing etomidate.

Answer

1             Among offenders investigated for etomidate abuse since 1 September 2025, about 70% are above 21 years old, 23% aged 16 to 20, and 7% below 16. The male-to-female ratio is around 3 to 1 and has remained stable. Etomidate rehabilitation programmes take into account the needs and profile of offenders, including gender, and are provided through individual and group counselling. Recalcitrant offenders may be admitted to a Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC).  There is currently a DRC dedicated to female offenders. The Singapore Prison Service monitors the capacity utilisation of the DRC closely and currently has sufficient operational capacity and resources to accommodate new admissions for both male and female etomidate abusers.