NCSS invests S$5.6m to tackle rising behavioural addictions

The National Council of Social Service is investing S$5.6 million to make support for behavioural addictions more accessible in Singapore. Under the three-year ASPIRE programme, 10 social service agencies will be trained to help people struggling with issues such as excessive gaming, gambling and pornography use. Agencies reported more than 780 new behavioural addiction cases in 2024, up from over 520 in 2020, with some clients as young as 12. For more analysis, CNA speaks to Dr Adrian Wang, who runs his own psychiatric practice.