Singapore lights up in green to mark drug-free world
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People braving the rain against the backdrop of Marina Bay Sands, which was lit up in green for DrugFreeSG Light-Up 2024 on June 26.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
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SINGAPORE – Iconic landmarks around the island were illuminated in green and white – the colours of the anti-drug cause – in a show of solidarity with DrugFreeSG Light-Up 2024 on June 26.
More than 50 places islandwide were lit up between 7.30pm and midnight in support of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which falls on June 26 every year.
The Fullerton Hotel and Cavenagh Bridge lit up in green for DrugFreeSG Light-Up 2024 on June 26.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
This is the seventh edition of the event, organised by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) to demonstrate the community’s support for a drug-free world.
Six new locations were added in 2024, such as the headquarters of the Ministry of Communications and Information, Ministry of Education and People’s Association, as well as Ngee Ann City, Wisma Atria and the NTUC Centre.
The Elgin Bridge and Ministry of Communications and Information office building illuminated in green as part of the DrugFreeSG Light-Up on June 26.
ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
Green and white are the colours on the Anti-Drug Ribbon to symbolise health, vitality and strength. The ribbon was first launched in the 1996 National Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign, organised under the banner of the National Council Against Drug Abuse.
Members of the public also participated in the DrugFreeSG Light-Up by festooning their windows with green fairy lights given out at the inaugural Drug Victims Remembrance Day roving exhibitions held between May and July.
People sheltering from the rain. In the background, Marina Bay Sands can be seen lit up in green for the DrugFreeSG Light-Up on June 26.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
In 2023, the number of drug abusers arrested in 2023 rose by 10 per cent to 3,122, from 2,826 in 2022. Of those arrested in 2023, 952 were new drug abusers, a 19 per cent increase from the 802 in 2022, according to updated figures from CNB.
More than half of the new abusers arrested were below the age of 30. Among them were six 14-year-olds, who were the youngest abusers to be arrested.
Ms Nur Azlinda Zulkifli, 37, a former offender who is now an anti-drug advocate for CNB, lit up her home with green fairy lights to commemorate the occasion.
“I felt that I should take this chance to remember all those who are affected by drug abuse, especially family members who became the victims,” said Ms Azlinda.
She added: “Always consider the choice and think of the consequences of how it will affect your family and people around you. Drugs destroy your health and life, and prevention is better than cure.”
