The Community Addiction Management Programme (CAMP) will offer treatment for Internet-related addiction as well more familiar addictions such as gambling.

"Addiction is most familiar to us in its traditional forms, such as alcoholism, nicotine dependence, drug abuse and gambling. However, it is presenting a new face through the Internet," he said.

The influence of personal computers and the Internet at home and at work has seen the emergence of online addiction, Ho added.

"Addiction to the Internet through chat lines, cyber-pornography, online gambling and electronic trading is simply a new strain of an old disease," he said.

Singapore, which is among the most wired countries in Asia on a per capita basis, must take the necessary steps to prevent online addiction becoming a serious problem, he said.

"As the personal computer becomes as common in our homes as television sets, we need to step-up research so as not to be caught unprepared. Like other addictions, the compulsive Internet habit isolates the individual from his family and friends."

Singapore had 770,000 Internet subscribers at the end of 2000 out of a population of four million. As many as 46,000 were at risk of Internet addiction, Ho said.

"Behavioural addictions like Internet addiction can destroy the users health, relationships, happiness, and ultimately, his spirit."