While new abusers in other countries tend to be aged under 25, new abusers in Singapore tend to be slightly older, said addiction expert Munidasa Winslow, who runs an addiction clinic at Raffles Hospital.

This is because drugs are not as easily available here, and because young adults are more able to afford them than teenagers, he said.

Patients aged below 35 make up around a third of all the drug-addiction cases he has seen since his practice opened in May 2008.

While those aged above 35 tend to see him for alcohol abuse, the younger set usually seek help for addictive drugs such as heroin, codeine, party drugs and even sleeping and slimming pills, he said.

Their reasons for drug abuse are diverse, he said.

Dr Winslow said: "Most start out using them recreationally, because of friends or out of curiosity.

Others use them because they have emotional issues they are running away from."

One former drug abuser is a 25-year-old Singaporean banking executive, who experimented with a range of drugs in her early 20s, including Ecstasy, cannabis, ketamine and sleeping pills.

She told my paper: "One particular comedown left me depressed for days and I cried for almost a day without understanding why. It's also too risky to take them in Singapore. I kept looking over my shoulder for fear of getting caught.''

Singapore's first line of defence against illegal drugs is stopping them at its source, said Mr Ng, who added that CNB is working closely with other drug-enforcement agencies in the region.

It is also stepping up checkpoint checks and preventive and educational measures.

Last year, 7,099 raids were mounted, an increase of 4 per cent from 2008.

In total, 28 drug-trafficking syndicates were also smashed last year.

Those found to be possessing and/or consuming drugs can be jailed for up to 10 years or fined up to $20,000, or both.

dawnt@sph.com.sg

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