SINGAPORE - First-time young drug offenders are now able to fight their addictive habits at a new facility which provides a structured environment for their rehabilitation, while carrying on with school or work outside the centre.

Those housed at the Community Rehabilitation Centre (CRC) at Jamaica Road undergo life-skills programmes which, among other things, teach them to resist their addictions and reject negative peer influence. The centre is open to youths aged 16 to below 21.

The centre, which can accommodate up to 50 residents, was officially launched on Monday by Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli.

It first opened its doors in May last year and is also the first housing unit for young male inmates that is located away from the Changi Prison Complex.

A six-month residential period starts after a short detention stint in the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC). Upon completion of the residential phase, the former drug offenders will be electronically tagged for another six months of supervised home leave.

Superintendent in charge of the CRC Kelvin Hoo said: "The CRC is a customised regime aimed at mitigating the risk of re-offending for the under 21 drug offender population. Situating the CRC in the community allows for greater community involvement in the programmes for these younger drug offenders."