Behavioural Analysis of New and Young Drug Offenders Jasmin Kaur, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Behavioural Analysis of New and Young Drug Offenders

Jasmin Kaur, D.Psych

Singapore Prison Service Ministry of Home Affairs

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Today

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Stomp, SPH The Straits Times, 27th July 2015 The New Paper, 30th July 2015

Surveys Focus Groups Interviews

Surveys 463 Non Abusers 237 Drug Abusers Focus Groups 109 Non Abusers In-depth Interviews 34 Abusers

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Equal Majority ~ Minority Ethnicity Half High SES

C a n n a b i s A b u s e r

Young Drug Abusers

O t h e r D r u g s ( I C E ) A b u s e r

Predominantly Minority Ethnicity Half Low SES

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C a n n a b i s A b u s e r

Young Drug Abusers

O t h e r D r u g s ( I C E ) A b u s e r

High Parental Monitoring Absence of Parental Drug History Good School Achievement Low Parental Monitoring Presence of Parental Drug History Below-Average School Achievement

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Drug Initiation in Youth

C a n n a b i s A b u s e r O t h e r D r u g s ( I C E ) A b u s e r

Underage Smoking Problem School Behaviours Prior Arrest Drug Peers

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Drug Initiation in Youth

Lack of Perceived Harm Media Influences

“I got curious because of all the media influence and from there I know that cannabis is not that harmful a drug.” CA, 17 years old

“Marijuana could help people… Meth and Heroin is the most harmful drugs”

CA, 27 years old

“[There are] zero consequences to cannabis“ CA, 20

years old

Can n ab i s Ab u ser

O t h e r D r u g s ( I C E ) A b u s e r

“Before I first used drugs I got my information from Tumblr, movies, Twitter. Like as in like see photos of it and all… From these I learnt that it’s ok to take drugs as long as you take it moderately.” CA, 19 years old

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Worrying Trend

Lack of Perceived Harm Media Influences

Non Dru g Ab u ser

“…online media there is more mention of the positive sides of taking drugs…so people shrug the negative parts away.”

NA, 20 yrs old

“…pop culture like Ted or Harold & Kumar. They have weed smoking scenes and it all looks fun and normal.”

NA, 23 yrs old

“…my friends do not consider weed a drug, see it as similar to smoking, most

• f them think weed is fine.”

NA, 23 yrs old “…studies have shown that marijuana can help with healing..” NA, 14 yrs old

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Preventive Education

Social Media TV Talks

Ex Drug Abusers Parents / Teacher / Law Enforcement

Preferred Information Sources

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Preventive Education

Youth Centric Infused in Curriculum Youth Ownership Co-ordinated across partners & agencies Developmentally appropriate

Preferred Engagement Strategies

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Educate (7-12 yrs old) Reason (13-16 yrs old) Challenge (17 yrs old and above)

Sphere of Influence Family Peers & Media Self Curiosity about drugs Low / No Moderate - High Moderate – High Cognitive Complexity Simple: Concrete Thinking

“Why are drugs bad?”

Emerging: Analytical thinking

“What are the pros and cons

• f drug use?”

Complex: Decision Making

“Is this who I want to be?”

Skills Building Family bonding Saying “No” to peers Assessing information reliability Self-control Coping & problem solving Mode of delivery Knowledge Transfer Engagement through Discussion Engagement through Discussion Consequences Physical Harm Physical, Social & Legal Harm Physical, Social & Legal Harm Take Home Message “Drugs are HARMFUL” “Drugs are HARMFUL & ILLEGAL” “Drugs are HARMFUL & ILLEGAL for ME”

Developmental Phases

Differentiated Preventive Drug Education

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Saving John

• Close relationship with his family
• Medium SES
• No family history of crime or drugs
• School achievement good, qualified for

polytechnic

• Engaged in school activities
• Started smoking at 14 years old
• Liberal views towards cannabis use
• Drug Peers from primary school

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John’s Journey Away from Drugs: 7 to 12 years old

Recommendations

• Parents Toolkit

– Engage parents to act as anti- drug role models for John – Continue to build close ties within family – Physical harm of drugs clearly articulated

• Addressing risk factors

– Smoking behaviour could be targeted in psycho-education

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John’s Journey Away from Drugs: 13 to 16 years old

Recommendations

• Parents & Educators Toolkit

– Parents to increase vigilance on John, while building trust and close ties – Learn about harms of drugs in school curriculum

• Use of social media & anti-drug

ambassadors

– Use social media to counter misperceptions on drug abuse – Hear ex-abusers speak about the difficulties faced after drug abuse – Engage peers to be advocates against drug abuse

• Self Development

– Teach skills of refusal and information seeking through direct instruction and facilitated discussions

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John’s Journey Away from Drugs: 17 years old and above

Recommendations

• Parents & Educators Toolkit

– Parents may engage John in discussion – Allow John to find avenues to explore curiosity about drugs, while ensuring the presence of responsible individuals to assist him in decision making

• Use of Social Media

– Actively use social media to dispute liberal claims on drugs

• Self Development

– Continue skills building of self-control and problem solving – Encourage personal responsibility and consequences for actions taken – Engage youths to act as advocates against drug abuse

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Saving One Youth at a Time, Saving a Generation

Thank You

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