20th ASEAN Drug Monitoring Network Meeting

News / View / ADMN

Thursday 7th of May 2026

The 20th ASEAN Drug Monitoring Network (ADMN) meeting was hosted by Singapore on 31 March 2026 via video-conference. The meeting was chaired by Director (Policy, Planning and Research Division) Central Narcotics Bureau, Mr Lim Jun Jie and Senior Assistant Director (Policy, Planning and Research Division, Central Narcotics Bureau) Ms Elaine Cheah. Representatives from all eleven ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the ADMN technical expert team were in attendance.

Director, Central Narcotics Bureau, Mr Sebastian Tan, delivered the opening remarks. He welcomed all delegates and reaffirmed the crucial role of cooperation and collaboration in ASEAN Member States’ common vision towards a Drug-Free ASEAN. He highlighted the importance of ADMN as a key platform for promoting information exchange, data collection, and presentation of drug-related trends. Mr Tan emphasized that the drug situation is evolving, with syndicates operating across borders, and noted that while Singapore’s overall drug situation remains stable, the country saw a 17% increase in new drug abusers arrested and a 7% increase in arrested drug abusers below 20 years old. He also underscored Singapore’s preventive efforts, such as the Drug Victims Remembrance Day roadshows, alongside enforcement measures.

The meeting featured an exchange of updates on the drug situation in each ASEAN Member State for 2025. Delegates shared national developments and contributed suggestions during the Working Group discussions on management, demand reduction, and supply reduction, and enhancements to the ADMN platform for future data entries. The discussions underscore the importance of ADMN as a vital mechanism for ASEAN Member States to monitor drug trends and issue early warning alerts concerning the illicit drug situation across the region.