A disciplinary tribunal in Singapore has stripped a medical practitioner, Dr Leong Kok Cheong Darren, of his full registration after he admitted using methamphetamine on weekends over approximately eight years. The ruling, handed down by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC), concluded that his conduct brought disrepute to the profession and posed potential risks despite no reported complaints about his medical work from patients.
Key details of the case
- Dr Leong was arrested in February 2023 by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) at his home. He was found in possession of about 2.45 grams of methamphetamine and drug-taking utensils. He later pleaded guilty under the Medical Registration Act to improper conduct.
- Although he reportedly took meth only on Saturdays so that effects would wear off by Monday, the tribunal found that this pattern of drug use over many years affected his professional reliability. In 2019, for example, Dr Leong admitted that he had trouble reporting to work punctually due to lingering side effects of his substance use.
- He has also been under performance improvement plans since 2023, and received psychiatric treatment and other support. His lawyers said he moved in with his parents and adopted healthier routines in response to his addiction has part of the mitigation.
Sanctions imposed
- De-registration: Dr Leong is now removed from Part I of the Register of Medical Practitioners, meaning he cannot practise as a fully registered doctor in Singapore.
- Conditional re-entry: He may apply to be registered under Part II in the future, but with conditions. These include practising under supervision, submitting a letter of undertaking, and completing drug rehabilitation.
- Other disciplinary actions: He has also been censured, required to give a written undertaking to the SMC, and ordered to pay the costs of the disciplinary proceedings.
Implications and lessons
- Even substance use outside of work hours can lead to serious professional consequences if it’s long-running, undisclosed, or impacts performance.
- The case underscores the medical profession’s ethical expectations in Singapore: practitioners are expected to maintain conduct that upholds public trust.
- Supporting mental health and addiction treatment among high-stress professions becomes critical; early disclosure, seeking help, and maintaining fitness to work are key for accountability and risk mitigation.
