Monday, April 15, 2002		Article

Singapore site on addiction

EVER wondered whether you were addicted to sex? In strait-laced Singapore the government is providing its citizens with a Website designed to let them find out if their desires have become compulsive.

The 25-question test for men includes questions such as: "Do you often find yourself preoccupied with sexual thoughts", "Have you ever had sex with someone just because you were feeling aroused and later felt ashamed or regretted it?" and "Have you ever cruised public restrooms, rest areas and/or parks looking for sexual encounters with strangers?"

People who answer yes to one to three of the questions are told they show a possible "area of concern" that "should be openly discussed with a friend or family member," while those who answer yes to six or more are warned they face potentially "dangerous consequences" and should seek treatment.

The Community Addictions Management Programme (CAMP) site (www.camp.org.sg), funded by Singapore's Ministry of Health and launched last month, offers women a separate test with such questions as "Do you regularly purchase romance novels or sexually explicit magazines?", "Do you find yourself preoccupied with sexual thoughts or romantic day-dreams?" and "Do you ever feel bad about your sexual behaviour?" —Reuters