About NCADA
Learn more about who we are.
National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA)
NCADA was formed in January 1995 as a citizen’s advisory council to the Ministry of Home Affairs on preventive drug measures and programmes in Singapore. The Council advises the Government on measures and strategies to curb drug abuse in Singapore. Its role is also to harness community support for anti-drug programmes and complement the promotion of preventive drug efforts, programmes, and research to inform the public on the dangers of drug addiction.
Strategic Thrusts
The Council’s focal areas are:
Publicity & Communications – To achieve impactful and sustained communications through the creation of awareness for the drug-free cause and the generation of shared commitment for a drug-free Singapore.
Advocacy & Community Engagement – To rally and expand support for the drug-free cause and measures through strategic partnerships and the building of advocacy and community resources.
Research - To gather evidence-based facts to refine preventive drug strategies and provide actionable insights to strengthen upstream drug prevention efforts in Singapore.
Strategic Pillars
Four key pillars designed to provide greater focus, coordination, and measurable population-level impact
How We're Making a Difference
At NCADA, our work is guided by one goal: keeping our communities safe, informed, and resilient against drug abuse. As the drug landscape grows more complex, NCADA has evolved its approach - building on the foundations laid to set strategic direction, convene partners, and enable preventive education efforts and advocacy across Singapore. The four strategic pillars ensure that efforts are coordinated, measurable, and built for the challenges ahead.
A Strategic Pillar Framework for a Drug-Free Singapore
The following pillars guide NCADA’s work:
Pillar 1: Prevention Science & Evidence-Based Programmes – Awareness alone is not enough. That's why prevention needs to go beyond general awareness to programmes grounded in research and intervention science - designed to reach the people who need them most. Whether it's equipping parents with tools to start honest conversations with their children, or developing targeted resources for at-risk groups, evidence is key. Because prevention works best when it's built for the person in front of you.
Pillar 2: Digital Influence & Public Engagement – Conversations about drugs are already happening online - across social media feeds, community forums, and beyond. We want to make sure accurate information is always part of them. Using data and insights, we identify who our audiences are, and what they need to hear. By cutting through misinformation and engaging people on the platforms they use, we seek to ensure trustworthy information is never hard to find.
Pillar 3: Community Mobilisation & Partnerships – When people hear from someone they trust - a colleague, a classmate, a neighbour — the message lands differently. That's why NCADA works with and through existing community networks, supporting ambassadors, peer educators, and advocates who champion drug prevention in schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods. By strengthening these networks, NCADA enables coordinated prevention efforts that reach further than any single organisation could alone.
Pillar 4: Innovation & Future Preparedness – The drug landscape evolves constantly with new substances, new trends, and new risks. By continuously scanning the horizon and anticipating what's next, we can stay ahead. This ensures our programmes remain relevant, responsive, and focused on protecting the communities we serve.
How It All Comes Together
These four pillars don't operate in isolation. They are brought to life by our three committees - Research, Publicity, and Engagement - each contributing their expertise across pillars as needed. This matrix approach ensures that our work is both strategically coherent and operationally grounded, which helps reduce duplication, address gaps and improve coordination across our work.
Ultimately, the framework guides NCADA in realizing our vision of a Singapore where every individual, family, and community is empowered to live free from drug abuse.