SINGAPORE - More drug abusers are arrested in the first half of this year (2015), and more of the new abusers are below 30 years old.

According to statistics from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) released on Friday (Aug 21), 1,684 drug abusers were caught between January and June, a 8 per cent increase from the 1,560 nabbed in the first half of last year (2014).

Of those caught, 37 per cent were new abusers. Among them, about seven in 10 were below 30 years old - a slight increase from the same period last year when people below 30 made up 69 per cent of new abusers caught.

The two most commonly abused drugs are methamphetamine and heroin. Over 90 per cent of all drug abusers arrested used those drugs.

The number of cannabis abusers also went up by about 18 per cent, compared to the first half of 2014.

Most new abusers used methamphetamine, followed by cannabis and heroin.

More drugs were also seized. These include cannabis, 'Ecstasy', ketamine and nimetazepam. In particular, 21.18kg of cannabis was seized in the first half of this year, a 140 per cent increase from 8.81kg during the same period last year.

But less heroin and 'Ice', or crystalline methamphetamine, were seized.

CNB said it will "remain vigilant and monitor the drug situation closely".

"We will continue to maintain close co-operation with our regional counterparts to stem the inflow of drugs into Singapore," it said. "CNB will also enhance its Preventive Drug Education efforts to spread anti-drug messages and engage youth, especially at the post-secondary level, in the fight against drugs."