Article cherry picks the numbers to downplay success of Singapore drug policies.
For example it highlights that SG has disproportionate number of people in jail for drug offenses but when you actually normalize it per prison population, USA has higher number of people in jail for drug offenses per 100k population (132 in US vs 120 in SG). Further US data downplay number of people for drug offenses in prisons as many people are in prison as result of drug addiction (robberies, stealing, etc) but not because they were busted with drugs.
And here are actual data on substance abuse in US prisons. SG has frankly right even if harsh policy.
>While the exact rates of inmates with substance use disorders (SUDs) is difficult to measure, some research shows that an estimated 65% percent of the United States prison population has an active SUD. Another 20% percent did not meet the official criteria for an SUD, but were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their crime.
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/criminal-ju...
Frankly my personal opinion - either drugs have to be fully legalized (even hard one) and sold at groceries or fully and effectively banned like in Singapore. Anything in the middle creates more misery.
For example it highlights that SG has disproportionate number of people in jail for drug offenses but when you actually normalize it per prison population, USA has higher number of people in jail for drug offenses per 100k population (132 in US vs 120 in SG). Further US data downplay number of people for drug offenses in prisons as many people are in prison as result of drug addiction (robberies, stealing, etc) but not because they were busted with drugs.
And here are actual data on substance abuse in US prisons. SG has frankly right even if harsh policy.
>While the exact rates of inmates with substance use disorders (SUDs) is difficult to measure, some research shows that an estimated 65% percent of the United States prison population has an active SUD. Another 20% percent did not meet the official criteria for an SUD, but were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their crime.
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/criminal-ju...
Frankly my personal opinion - either drugs have to be fully legalized (even hard one) and sold at groceries or fully and effectively banned like in Singapore. Anything in the middle creates more misery.