Singapore Doctor Loses Medical License Following Drug Abuse
SINGAPORE – A Singaporean medical practitioner, Dr. Leong Kok Cheong Darren, has been stripped of his full medical registration following admissions of long-term methamphetamine use.A disciplinary tribunal ruled this week that Dr. Leong can no longer practice medicine in Singapore under Part I of the Register of Medical Practitioners.
Dr. Leong, who had been practicing since 2006, most recently at Changi General Hospital’s (CGH) department of sport and exercise medicine, was arrested in February 2023 by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) after officers discovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia at his residence.He later completed a rehabilitation program from February to May 2023.
The tribunal heard that Dr. Leong had been consuming methamphetamine recreationally for approximately eight years, strategically timing his use to weekends to ensure the effects had subsided before his work week began. While no drugs were found at his workplace and no patient complaints were lodged regarding his performance, the tribunal determined that the drug use did impact his ability to function professionally, citing instances in 2019 where he experienced difficulty arriving at work on time due to side effects.
Representing Dr. Leong,lawyers Rebecca Chew and Priscilla Soh of Rajah & Tann,emphasized his proactive steps towards recovery. These included voluntarily disclosing his arrest to the singapore Medical Council (SMC), fully cooperating with the disciplinary investigation, and seeking professional help. Dr. Leong has been under a performance improvement plan at CGH, overseen by the SingHealth Disciplinary Council, as September 2023. He has also been receiving psychiatric care, relocated to live with his family, and adopted healthier lifestyle choices. His legal team further explained that Dr. Leong turned to substance use as a coping mechanism for the pressures of navigating his bisexuality and managing vocal dystonia,a condition affecting his speech.
Despite acknowledging these mitigating factors, the tribunal highlighted the prolonged nature of the abuse and Dr. Leong’s seniority within the medical profession. The ruling allows Dr. Leong to apply for registration under Part II of the register, subject to conditions including a formal undertaking to the SMC, supervised practice, and continued drug rehabilitation. In addition to the de-registration, dr. Leong was formally censured and ordered to cover the costs associated with the tribunal proceedings.