No criminal records for young vape users who turn themselves in, turned in by parents: Ong Ye Kung

SINGAPORE – Young vape users who give themselves up and those turned in by their parents for using drug-laced devices, such as Kpods, will not be given any offence records.

Instead, they will be led through tailored routes to help them rehabilitate and kick the habit, Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Ong Ye Kung

told reporters at a media conference

on Aug 28.

KPods are vape juice mixed with etomidate, an intravenous agent used for the induction of general anaesthesia that is not meant to be inhaled.

First-time etomidate abusers who are under 18 years old will be fined $500, while adults will be fined $700. They will also have to attend rehabilitation for up to six months.

Those caught inhaling etomidate for the second time will be arrested and investigated by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) under the Misuse of Drugs Act. There will be statement taking and urine testing.

They will also be under six months of mandatory supervision, including drug testing and rehabilitation.

Offenders who do not complete the rehabilitation programmes will be prosecuted in court.

Those who are aged 16 and older and caught inhaling etomidate three times or more will be admitted to a drug rehabilitation centre (DRC) for treatment and rehabilitation. There, they will undergo drug tests and be supervised for 12 months.

Those under 16 will be put under compulsory supervision in the community for 12 months.

Studies have shown that vaping poses significant health risks. That is why the Government has banned e-vaporisers and enforced against their illegal import, sale and use.

But the situation has worsened, with e-vaporisers now also becoming delivery vehicles for harmful substances such as etomidate, said Mr Ong, who is also Health Minister.

“It used to be the case that unhealthy habits like cigarette smoking and substance abuse were two separate behaviours by two separate sets of people. Now vape has become a delivery device, and the two behaviours become mixed up,” he said.

The young pick up the habit out of curiosity or ignorance, or under coercion, he said. Specifically, more than half of vape users – for etomidate, four in five – are under the age of 30. The approach would be rehabilitation, as “they may be more open to giving up”.

Mr Ong, who was part of a panel of political office-holders announcing the whole-of-government approach to tackle vaping, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) is requiring vape users to attend a rehabilitation programme in lieu of tougher penalties under the law.

“This is to give the abuser a chance to turn over a new leaf and leave etomidate behind him or her for good. The abuser can still have a good, meaningful life. But if they decide to default or reoffend, penalties will escalate very rapidly,” he warned.

Mapping out the journey, Mr Ong said those who abuse etomidate for the first time will have to attend a three-month rehabilitation programme and report weekly at the Institute of Mental Health and social services agencies like the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (Sana).

Under the programme, they will undergo individual counselling, group support and necessary medical tests for severe cases. The programme may be extended from three months to six months.

Should they reoffend, Mr Ong said, “they will be arrested under the law, and have to undergo a long supervisory regimen, or end up at the DRC under (the) Singapore Prison Service”.

Urging general vapers and those addicted to etomidate to turn themselves in, Mr Ong said the offenders can give themselves a second chance under QuitVape, a community programme run by We Care Community Services, Sana, Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities and Fei Yue Community Services.

“Contact them and tell them you want to quit vaping or etomidate vaping, and they will help you deal with your addiction. They are not required to report the cases to MOH or CNB; and there will not be an offence record,” he said.

For those seeking help to drop the vaping habit, here are the numbers to call: