Mr Aaron Chew became hooked on heroin in secondary school. He tells CNA about the gruelling process of overcoming his addiction, which included multiple stints in prison or drug rehabilitation centres over a decade.
SINGAPORE: Neglected by his parents and six older siblings, Mr Aaron Chew first began smoking cigarettes at the age of 14.His adult neighbour, who lived at an opposite Housing Board block, supplied the substance and allowed the teenager to smoke at his place.
His story was highlighted in a speech by Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim at an event for A3 partners and volunteers in January. “A drug addict’s life can only change when they find love somewhere, they find acceptance within the family, siblings, friends. Otherwise, they will be like a bird kept in a cage," he said.Mr Aaron Chew in his secondary school class photograph, before he was first arrested for taking drugs. Mr Chew told CNA that as a teenager, he was “very innocent and ignorant” about the dangers of drugs due to a lack of education in schools.
This went on for almost a year before his first arrest. He also dropped out of school without telling his parents. Despite his self-professed “horrible and terrible” time there, he relapsed on his first day back in society, seeking drugs from friends who were more than willing to sell him some.Commentary: Smoking marijuana at 13 sent my youth into a downward spiral
This led to a three-and-a-half year incarceration in prison in 1986 – his fifth time. He was convicted of drug consumption and possession offences before being sent to a medium-security prison, where he finally took and passed his GCE O-Level examinations. “Ensure he gets employment, upgrade, study, keep him occupied with work or study or skills. At least the person finds a new beginning … Family members can find time to have dinner every week, sit down and talk.”
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