• Mythily Subramaniam, Yen Sin Koh, Rajeswari Sambasivam, Edimansyah Abdin, P V Asharani, Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar, Boon Yiang Chua, Hong Choon Chua, Cheng Lee, Wai Leng Chow, Stefan Ma, and Siow Ann Chong.
• Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore.
• Ann Acad Med Singap. 2024 Apr 29; 53 (4): 222232222-232.

IntroductionThe primary aims of the current nationwide study were to establish the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of consumption of illicit drugs and its correlates in the general population of Singapore.MethodA representative sample of 6509 Singapore residents (Singapore citizens and permanent residents) aged between 15 and 65 years were randomly selected for participation. Questionnaires were administered to assess the consumption of illicit drugs and collect information on correlates. All analyses were weighted to produce prevalence estimates for the consumption of drugs and other measured outcomes. Rao-Scott chi-square test and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics with lifetime consumption of illicit drugs.ResultsThe study was completed with a response rate of 73.2%. The lifetime prevalence of consuming illegal drugs was 2.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-2.8) (n=180). Compared to individuals aged 15-34, those aged 50-65 (odds ratio [OR] 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.7) had lower odds of lifetime drug consumption. Current smokers (OR 4.7, 95% CI 2.7-8.3) and ex-smokers (OR 5.9, 95% CI 3.2-11.1) had significantly higher odds of lifetime drug consumption than non-smokers. Individuals with hazardous alcohol use (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.7-6.5) had higher odds of lifetime drug consumption than those without hazardous alcohol use.ConclusionThis is the first nationwide study to examine the prevalence of illicit drug consumption in the general population of Singapore. The results highlight the need to increase awareness of drug consumption in Singapore, especially among parents, teachers, healthcare workers and others who work with young people.

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