It must begin with parents getting involved. And it can work.
For Mrs Ann Goh, the lesson came too late, even though she had spotted the signs. Her son Isaac, then 19 and serving national service, began withdrawing from the family, snapping easily, and sleeping odd hours. He lost weight. His energy and routines changed. Mrs Goh sensed something was off, but she hesitated to confront him, unsure of how to start a difficult conversation without driving him further away.
Four years later, Isaac was arrested for abusing crystal methamphetamine, or Ice. He was 23. His habit had taken root during those army days, introduced through a friend’s contact, easily obtained via apps like Telegram. By the time the family understood the depth of the issue, he was being escorted into the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC).
The months that followed were painful, but transformational. Mrs Goh made a decision: she would not give up on her son. She wrote to him every single day. She visited him twice a month, bringing the self-help books he asked for, reminding him in every way she could that he was still loved, still her son. It was this consistent, non-judgmental support that gave Isaac the courage to rebuild.
Their story is a sobering reminder of what can happen when early signs are missed, but it also shows what is possible when families stay engaged. As Mrs Goh put it, if she could turn back time, she would have affirmed her love and support for her son more openly, and encouraged her husband to do the same. “This would have ensured that he would not have to seek acceptance and a sense of community from external parties, such as drug abusers and dealers,” she reflected.
Parenting done right
This need for timely, empathetic guidance is echoed across the parental forums our National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA) supports. One question often arises: “Why do kids still try drugs, even when they know the dangers?” The answers are never simple, but the message is consistent. Parenting in today’s world requires more than rules. It demands presence, trust, and above all, communication that begins long before a crisis.
Research backs the need for this. NCADA’s 2023 National Drug Perception Survey found that while the majority of youth believe drugs should remain illegal, only 79 per cent said the same for cannabis, compared with 96 per cent of adults. This mirrors global trends where cannabis abuse is increasingly getting normalised among young people.
The same survey also found that more than 90 per cent of youth who had conversations with their parents about drugs said they felt less likely to try them. But many parents still hesitate to have that difficult talk. Our council member, Mr Ravindran Nagalingam, who regularly engages with families, notes that shame, fear or discomfort often get in the way of such conversations. “Prevention must start at home,” he said. “Not when problems arise, but when children are still listening, even if they pretend not to be.”
Just as powerful, however, are examples of prevention done right.
One such story was shared by Mr S.B. Viknesan, a member of the National Council Against Drug Abuse. A father once confided in him about his teenage son, who had become entangled with drugs. Rather than relying solely on punishment or external intervention, the father focused on rebuilding trust. He made a conscious effort to be present for his child, including sharing meals, checking in often, and opening up space for honest conversations. These small but consistent actions helped the son regain his confidence and pull away from negative influences. It was a reminder that even when situations feel difficult, a strong emotional bond at home can serve as a powerful form of prevention.
This is the kind of quiet, preventative work that never makes headlines, but it matters.
Of course, families don’t act alone. Teachers and counsellors are vital allies. Through structured programmes and informal conversations, they reinforce values, offer emotional support, and create safe spaces for youth to speak up. Peer circles can either bolster or undermine these efforts, which is why supporting peer-led initiatives and encouraging young people to be role models is key.
But at the heart of any prevention strategy lies the home. It is where values take root, where resilience begins. When young people feel seen, accepted, and heard, the allure of escape, through drugs or otherwise, fades. And when families respond not with panic or punishment, but with understanding and resolve, they shape outcomes not just for today, but for life.
As parents, let’s remember this: prevention is not a campaign slogan. It’s a conversation, one that starts early, stays open, and never underestimates the power of family.
Tan Chong Huat is chairman of the National Council Against Drug Abuse
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