Personality Jackie Chan at Anti-Drug representative

Movie star Jackie Chan is the Republic's first celebrity anti-drug ambassador, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli announced on Thursday (May 7).
Chan, in town for the announcement, told the media that younger people "increasingly see drugs a a personal choice", but the reality is one cannot experiment with drugs and not expect to be addicted.
"The only choice is to stay away from drugs," he said. "Youths nowadays think drugs are fun - (but) it will hurt you. Not just that, it will harm your family as well. You will be a bad influence on your friends." 
The action star also voiced his support for the death penalty - but only for "certain cases".
"I approve the death penalty, for certain cases," said Chan. "For drugs, when you sell it, you are hurting thousands of people and children - those people are useless. I am not a judge, but some cases deserve heavy penalty."
ANTI-DRUG CAUSE GETS PERSONAL
This is not Chan's first time being an ambassador for a cause. For example, he was the Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF in 2004.
"I have always been an ambassador to numerous countries and causes - as long as they benefit the Earth and the young," said Chan. "I have always supported anti-drug causes, even more so now because my own family member is a victim."
Chan's son, Jaycee Chan, recently served six months in a China prison for drug offences. When asked about his reaction to his son's abuse of drugs, Chan said he was "shocked" and "ashamed" when he first found out.
"I asked myself: 'How is this possible?' In the past I used to just let him do whatever he wanted, but now I know he is still a boy."
Chan maintained that his relationship with Jaycee has not changed, and that he even

encourages Jaycee to be an anti-drug ambassador.
"Right now he just holes up in his room, writing songs. He doesn't dare to face the world and the media. But I told him, you need to face them. Everyone makes mistakes - we just need to recover from them."
On his role as Singapore's first celebrity anti-drug ambassador, Chan said he feels no pressure, because countering drugs is always a collaborative effort. "You always have to find a way to reach out to the young - let's do it together, not just Jackie. Media, parents, schools, government, me - let's say no to drugs."
PREVENTION FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE
Speaking at the launch of Aversion, an anti-drug mobile game application, at Nanyang Polytechnic, Mr Masagos said in his speech that Chan "agreed without any hesitation" when the minister approached him to lend his support to Singapore's anti-drug efforts.
"I hope that he can inspire our youths to always say no to drugs. I also hope his presence inspires and reminds all of is that we each have the power to speak up and say no to drugs," Mr Masagos added.

The Second Minister also pointed out the Central Narcotics Bureau's (CNB)'s concern about the growing numbers of youth drug abusers. Over the last 10 years, the number of arrested drug abusers below the age of 20 increased by more than 10 per cent per annum, he said.
"Preventive Drug Education is our first line of defence in the war against drugs. We must build awareness and inform youths about the dangers of drugs, so that they can make the right choices to live a full life."

Aversion is one such education measure, and from it users can learn about the dangers of drug and inhalant abuse. In the game, players aim to avoid contact with drugs and learn the harm that different drugs can cause.