National Addiction Awareness Day (NAAD)

A meaningful day supporting action against addiction and hearing the stories of Simon and Sufian.

As Singapore’s most populated region, Central Singapore District is concerned and committed to supporting mental wellness, including addiction prevention.

Since 2013, the National Addiction Awareness Day (NAAD) has been educating the public on addiction, and the preventive measures.

Themed “Connect the Dots”, NAAD 2023 highlights the importance of a supportive network of loved ones and rehabilitation institutions.

I was encouraged to hear the stories of SIMON (@simonboyyyyyyy) and SUFIAN.

Both spoke on how they became addicted to drugs in their youth and the long arduous journey of overcoming their addictions.

For Simon, it was the great support from his mother, who did not give up on him throughout 16 years.

Simon underwent a rehabilitation programme at @The New Charis Mission, a halfway house. Now fully recovered, Simon advocates against drug abuse through skits on TikTok.

Central Singapore CDC partners halfway houses such as The New Charis Mission and @The Helping Hand in community-based programmes to facilitate real-world rehabilitation.

Institutions such as the National Addiction Management Service (NAMS) are crucial to the recovery process.

Sufian joined the NAMS and took the Peer Support Specialist (PSS) course. Now a certified PSS, he pays it forward by sharing his journey with those who need help. It has been more than 10 years since he stopped abusing drugs. He’s part of the Narcotics Anonymous group to assist others.

Both Simon and Sufian are inspirational to those wrestling with addiction. I am heartened by the @Institute of Mental Health’s (IMH) strong support and continued good work in promoting mental wellness.

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Together, we can help our beloved recover!