Our Journey: Bridging Five Decades of Legacy with Global Excellence
The story of the ISSUP Singapore Chapter began with a vision to formalize and elevate the standards of the local substance use workforce. On January 16, 2026, this vision became a reality when the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA) was formally appointed as the host organization.
The establishment of this Chapter represents a pivotal shift in Singapore’s landscape—moving toward a multidisciplinary, evidence-informed approach that aligns with international benchmarks. From our initial exploration in early 2025, networking at ISSUP 2025 regional conference in Bali Indonesia, proposal submission in late 2025 to our formal establishment in 2026, our journey has been defined by a commitment to professionalizing Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Support. We are currently on a strategic roadmap leading to our public launch in May 2027, coinciding with SANA’s 55th Anniversary.
Leveraging the Strength of SANA
As our host organization, SANA provides the ISSUP Singapore Chapter with a foundation of unparalleled credibility and resources:
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A 54-Year Legacy: Established in 1972, SANA has been at the forefront of Singapore’s national fight against drug abuse, providing a deep institutional memory that informs our Chapter’s local relevance.
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The SANA Step-Up Centre: Our Chapter is physically anchored at the Step-Up Centre, serving as a "Physical Hub" for professionals to meet, collaborate, and access resources.
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Regional Leadership: Through SANA’s founding role in the Asia-Pacific Confederation against Drugs (APCD) and its leadership in the CARE Network, the Chapter is uniquely positioned to facilitate high-level international knowledge transfer.
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A Managing Agent for Impact: SANA’s experience managing government programs like the Yellow Ribbon Community Project ensures the Chapter operates with the highest standards of governance and operational integrity.
Our Leadership & Governance - ISSUP SG Steering Committee
The ISSUP Singapore Chapter is governed by a multi-sectoral team of experts dedicated to workforce excellence. Our structure ensures representation from government, academia, and social service practitioners.
National Chapter Director: Dr. Sandor Heng (Board Member, SANA)
Host Org. Executive Director: Mr. Kok Weng Chew (Executive Director, SANA)
National Chapter Coordinator: Mr. Rafiz Hapipi (Head Designate, Step-Up Centres, SANA)
Alternate Chapter Coordinator: Ms. Goh Chin Mien (Head, Clinical & Research, SANA)
Member [IPC Social Service Agency]: Ms. Saleemah Ismail (CEO, New Life Stories)
Member [Government Linked Agency]: Dr. Gabriel Ong (Director, CNB Psychology Division)
Member [Ground Up Initiative]: Ms. Azlinda Zulkifli (Founder, Ultimate Friends)
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Upcoming: Dedicated leads for our Special Interest Network and Communities of Practice
Strategic Alignment with ISSUP Global
While our heart is local, our standards are global. The Singapore Chapter serves as the national focal point for ISSUP Global, ensuring that international data-supported knowledge—such as the Universal Treatment and Prevention Curricula (UTC/UPC)—is translated into culturally relevant, actionable practices for the Singaporean environment.
We believe that by professionalising our network, we establish substance use support as a unique, scientific, and compassionate field, ultimately delivering better outcomes for individuals, families, and our community.