SINGAPORE – In a heartfelt and candid conversation with Channel NewsAsia, a 17-year-old Singaporean youth, identified only by a pseudonym opened up about how a single Kpod vape incident changed the course of his life and led him through a government-mandated rehabilitation programme aimed at curbing youth drug misuse. What began as an “empty pod” tucked away in his school bag during a staycation with friends in September turned into a pivotal life lesson, and ultimately a chance to rethink his choices.
The teen told police he didn’t know how the Kpod — a drug-laced vape pod containing etomidate — ended up in his possession, insisting at first that “it was not his.” Under Singapore’s stringent anti-vaping and drug-control laws, officers found traces of his earlier experimentation with Kpods and referred him to the Youth Enhanced Supervision Scheme instead of merely imposing a fine, encouraging him to enter rehabilitation. This scheme reflects a broader national effort to help first-time offenders steer clear of deeper involvement with drugs rather than just punish them.
Before the incident, the teenager admitted he had fallen in with friends he described as “quite bad influences,” staying out late and sneaking into bars despite being underage. Looking back, he acknowledged this troublesome behaviour and said, “I feel like I needed the punishment, then I would learn my lesson.” That moment of intervention, he says, became a wake-up call.
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His rehabilitation at the Singapore Children’s Society involved a structured three-month programme that blended counselling, emotional management, relapse prevention and decision-making strategies. His case worker, Franz Lowe, reflected on their early sessions, admitting he wondered if the teen would be easy to reach: “In my mind, it was like ‘oh no, I’m not sure if it’s going to be an easy youth to work with’.” But as sessions progressed, the rapport deepened, and the teen began opening up, showing notable growth in confidence and self-reflection.
Wei Qiang — as he preferred to be called in conversation — grew to see his therapist not as a case worker but as “a friendly teacher” who offered advice without judgment and helped him make sense of his thoughts and experiences. He now values “proper, worry-free” activities like fishing, cooking at home and flying kites, describing these as more enjoyable than the risky behaviour he once pursued. He also stressed that the chance of relapsing is “close to zero” because he understands the harm such substances caused him and those around him.
His parents, once filled with worry and anger over his new circle of friends and late nights, now watch with relief as family life stabilises and communication improves. The teen has adopted curfews again, returns home earlier, and no longer dodges calls. His story underscores not just the risk that Kpod and etomidate-laced vape use pose to young people in Singapore — a concern reinforced by authorities tightening laws and rehabilitation measures nationwide — but also how targeted support and structured rehabilitation can help youth reclaim direction and purpose amid challenges.
