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| A panel from the New Adventures of Bobbin |
The drug known as opium is a popular recreational drug, especially during the time of colonial Singapore. It is estimated that in 1847, 15 000 out of 70 000 of Singapore's local population were opium smokers. This was made worse by the fact that it was encouraged by the policies of the British colonial government and by the habits of the Chinese immigrants.
So popular was the drug that from 1825 to 1910, the profits from the drug accounted for 30% to 55% of Singapore's revenue. Smoking opium was a common way to escape the harsh reality of life. However, opium and its derivatives are addictive and is subjected to legal restrictions by most modern governments.
Attempts to control drug use only started in 1909, when the colonial government rationed the sale of opium. By 1934, opium was legally limited for medical reasons. Just before the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, it was estimated that the number of opium addicts was more than 16 000.
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| Opium plant |
This was compounded because the Imperial Japanese encouraged such habits too. Drugs were seen as a way to weaken the will of the occupied people and as a lucrative drug. The Japanese also sold and distributed opium-tainted cigarettes, under the brand Golden Bat.
Note that the Japanese were also not above giving their own soldiers amphetamines to distract from the stressful war.
In 1948, it is estimated from drug sales in Occupied China alone netted in about 300 million US dollars a year for the Imperial Japanese.
It was not until the return of the British that drug use was curbed again.
Do note that as of 1989, the punishment for opium drug dealers and peddlers (in Singapore) is death.
For more, read this:
The Opium Problem in Singapore
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