Kpod abusers to undergo rehab with IMH or social service agencies: HSA
39 individuals who were found to have abused drug-laced e-vaporisers, known as Kpods, have started or will start rehabilitation this week.
Five more are pending investigation, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in a press release on Saturday (27 Sept).
Source: Ministry of Health and Health Sciences Authority
44 caught possessing Kpods from 1-21 Sept, 9 more pending test results
These 44 individuals were caught for vape-related offences between 1 Sept and 21 Sept, HSA said.
They were subsequently confirmed to possess Kpods.
Nine more suspected Kpod abusers are pending test results.
12 others were suspected of abusing Kpods, but their vapes were found not to contain etomidate, the main drug in these devices.
3 Kpod abusers have started rehab
Out of the 39 Kpod abusers, three of them have already started rehab with the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), or social service agencies (SSAs) under the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s Youth Enhanced Supervision Scheme programme.
Source: Google Maps
The remaining 36 are expected to start their rehab this week, HSA said.
The rehab programme focuses on education, counselling, and support to help abusers overcome their addiction.
It will include individual sessions as well as group and family sessions for them to share their experiences and learn coping techniques.
Kpod abusers face prosecution if they don’t report for rehab
Under the stiffer penalties for vaping-related offences that came into force on 1 Sept, Kpod abusers are now required to attend up to six months of rehabilitation at IMH or SSAs.
They will face prosecution if they fail to report for interviews and rehab, HSA said.
Second-time offenders will be arrested and subjected to investigation and urine-testing, as well as mandatory supervision for six months, which includes drug testing and rehab.
Third-time offenders who are 16 years and older will undergo a 12-month regime that includes detention at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Changi Prison.
Source: Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim on Facebook
This will be followed by drug testing and supervision.
656 caught for vaping-related offences
HSA also updated that a total of 656 individuals had been caught for vaping-related offences in the first three weeks of this month.
However, 1,050 cases of vaping activities were reported through HSA’s online reporting form and hotlines.
34 of these cases were related to suspected Kpod abuse, with six people eventually found to possess suspected Kpods.
Source: Health Sciences Authority and Singapore Police Force
Additionally, one person was nabbed for suspected Kpod trafficking, while 27 were suspected of smuggling regular vapes.
These 27 cases were detected at the airport, checkpoints or cruise centres.
More than 25,000 e-vaporisers and related components were seized from 1 Sept to 21 Sept.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
4 more charges for alleged Kpod trafficker
HSA also noted that Derek Khor Boon Chun, the first-ever person to be charged for Kpod trafficking, has been slapped with four additional charges.
These charges are in relation to alleged consumption of etomidate and alleged possession of an etomidate vape pod and vapes.
The 40-year-old is currently out on bail.
Importers of Kpods face three to 20 years in prison and five to 15 strokes of the cane, while sellers and distributors of Kpods face two to 10 years in prison and two to five strokes of the cane.
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Featured image adapted from Ministry of Health and Health Sciences Authority.
