Singapore Launches Safe Clubbing and NCADA Clubs Against Drugs Campaign 2009
The Launch of Safe Clubbing and NCADA Clubs against Drugs Campaign 2009 at the Butter Factory – Opening Speech by A/P Ho Peng Kee, Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs, 16 December 2009.
Friends from the Police, NCADA, the media, Bayfront Safety and Security Watch Group, entertainment enterprises, good evening to all of you.
Introduction
I am happy to join you this evening to launch this “Safe Clubbing” and “NCADA Clubs Against Drugs Campaign 2009”.
I am heartened that our stakeholders in the entertainment industry are playing an active role in keeping their premises crime and drug free. Indeed, your commitment ensures that the local clubbing scene remains vibrant and attractive for people who want to have a fun and safe night out. I join other parents whose children enjoy the occasional night out dancing and drinking with friends to thank you.
Safe Clubbing and NCADA Clubs Against Drugs Campaign 2009
The “Safe Clubbing” campaign is a joint community project by The Butter Factory, the Police and the National Council Against Drug Abuse or NCADA in short. As its name suggests, “Safe Clubbing” aims to promote safety and security in clubs. It targets theft, fights, outrage of modesty and drug abuse, and urges clubbers to take responsibility in creating a drug-free and crime-free party environment.
The hanging mobiles, posters and table-talkers around The Butter Factory tonight, and even the t-shirts the staff are wearing carry a very important and interesting message that this campaign is promoting, that the choices one can make on a night out can lead to two very different outcomes – life at the bar or life behind bars. Really, the key message is come to our clubs and pubs to have clean fun. Relax and enjoy yourselves, but be vigilant and friends should watch out for each other!
In conjunction with this “Safe Clubbing” campaign, NCADA is also launching its annual “Clubs Against Drugs Campaign 2009”. “High on Life, Not on Drugs” is the message that night entertainment outlets who have come on board the campaign are championing, especially to clubbing patrons, that they do not need to abuse drugs to be ‘cool’ or ‘hip’; they can still have good, clean fun without drugs.
How did this year’s campaign come about? I understand that in late October this year, NCADA wrote to 400 night entertainment outlets in Singapore, including pubs, clubs and karaoke lounges, to invite them to join the campaign. About 150 of them responded positively and pledged their support to promote the anti-drug message. They will be displaying the campaign collaterals such as table-top ‘Reserved’ stands and mirror decals on their premises, and distribute stick-on car signs to their patrons. This is an excellent initiative that harnesses the community’s commitment towards a drug-free Singapore. I take this opportunity to encourage those who have not done so to participate in this worthy cause.
Security Awareness Workshop initiated by the Police and NCADA
Patrons of The Butter Factory will also be pleased to hear that the staff of The Butter Factory have an extra skill-set – they now know how to deal with crimes, drug abuse and even terrorism-related situations. I thank Butter Factory’s management, NCADA and Police for initiating and organising a training workshop for security and operations staff earlier this month, which included a scenario-based training segment to inject more realism. Such collaborative efforts are useful in our common fight against crime, drugs and terrorism.
Conclusion
Community partnership is a key platform adopted in Singapore to tackle many social problems that result in win-win outcomes. Not only are grassroots and community groups roped in, businesses can play their part too. Businesses like the Butter Factory have to make adjustments and perhaps incur costs in doing so. But, overall, if this collaborative approach enables us to remain safe and secure, with its concomitant uplifting effect on the quality of life in Singapore for those who live and work here and who visit us, it is all worth it. So, let’s continue to each do his or her part. When we do this, and we know that we are ready, we can all relax and have fun. So, tonight, let’s boogey away.
On this note, I announce the launch of “Safe Clubbing” and “NCADA Clubs Against Drugs Campaign 2009”.
Topics: Bayfront Safety and Security Watch Group, clubbing scene, Clubs Against Drugs Campaign 2009, community support, crime, crime free, dancing, drug free, drugs, education, entertainment enterprises, fun, Governance, health care, Health Care, home affairs, illegal drugs, media, NCADA, NCADA Clubs against Drugs Campaign 2009, party environment, police, safe, safe clubbing, safe clubbing campaign, safety, security, Singapore, stakeholders
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