**Singapore’s Firm Stance on Drugs: An Inside Look at Changi Prison**

In the maximum-security wing of Singapore's Changi Prison, Matthew, a 41-year-old former schoolteacher, opts for the concrete floor over the provided straw mat. Despite his minimalistic living conditions, he believes it's "more cooling that way," as he serves his sentence of over seven years and faces seven strokes of the cane for methamphetamine distribution.

Matthew’s interview was part of an exclusive tour of Changi Prison arranged by Singapore authorities. This tour aimed to shed light on the city-state's strict policies on drugs. Singapore enforces a mandatory death penalty for trafficking certain quantities of illegal substances: 15 grams of heroin, 30 grams of cocaine, 250 grams of methamphetamine, and 500 grams of cannabis. The recent execution of a 64-year-old man for drug offenses marks the fourth hanging this year, emphasizing the country’s relentless approach.

K Shanmugam, Singapore's Minister for Home Affairs and Law, describes the nation’s drug policy as an "existential battle," asserting that any relaxation of their stance could lead to severe consequences, including increased violence and crime. As visitors land in Singapore, a stark warning about the severe penalties for drug trafficking is broadcast over the airplane’s loudspeakers.

Singapore's anti-drug measures extend beyond its borders; citizens and permanent residents face potential drug tests upon returning from abroad if there's suspicion of drug use. This stringent policy is enforced despite Singapore being one of the world's wealthiest nations, with a nearly $134,000 annual GDP per capita and a population of almost 6 million.

The People’s Action Party has held power in Singapore since its independence nearly six decades ago. From his vantage point overlooking scenic neighborhoods, Minister Shanmugam speaks about Singapore's lucrative but vulnerable market in a region plagued by drug production, notably near the infamous Golden Triangle.

The UNODC recently identified the Golden Triangle as the largest global source of opium, with a sharp rise in methamphetamine production overtaking heroin and opium. Shanmugam argues that Singapore’s harsh penalties serve as an effective deterrent to potential drug traffickers.

Changi Prison, situated near the main airport, houses more than 10,000 inmates, primarily for drug offenses. CNN’s tour highlighted a floor housing around 160 prisoners for serious crimes, monitored by a vast network of security cameras managed by just five guards.

Meals are distributed through hatches at cell doors, amplifying the isolation within the austere 7-square-meter cells. Matthew’s cell reflects the prison’s philosophy—minimalistic and devoid of furniture, fitting with Shanmugam’s assertion that “it is not a holiday home.”