By Ma Kyung-hee
Although illicit drugs have existed in Korean society for some time, they did not attract significant political and social interest until the year 2000.
According to the National Police Agency, there were 10,304 drug-related arrests in 1999, up three times compared to 1992. In response, the Narcotic Control Act was enacted in 2000, establishing narcotics units and investigation teams. Additionally, the government delivered strong anti-drug messages to the public through traditional media. However, drug problems have persisted, enhanced by relaxed travel restrictions and technological advancements facilitating the easy procurement of narcotics.
In 2021, there were a record 16,153 drug offenders. Previously, drug use was highest among people in their forties, accounting for nearly 40 percent of all age groups. But in 2021, those in their twenties had the highest representation, at 32 percent. What is most concerning is an upsurge in drug abuse among teens, from 121 in 2016 to 450 in 2021. The types of drugs used expanded from marijuana to synthetic opioids including fentanyl. As the actual number of offenders is estimated to be around 28 times higher than the number arrested, the situation with teens warrants immediate attention.
Younger people have easier access to illicit drugs due to their hyperconnected lives. Online anonymity, cryptocurrency, and contactless delivery methods enable the persistent popularity of illicit drug use. Furthermore, potent and hazardous new synthetic drugs appear frequently and police cannot keep up. Most drug-related activities occur in cyberspace and are highly individualized, which stymies government control. As a result, illicit drug use is expected to continue to increase, particularly among young people, unless adequate prevention education and interventions are provided.
Drug addiction has a high recidivism rate in Korea because the country lacks well-equipped, community-based treatment centers and mental health professionals. Treatment is typically provided within correctional facilities, but the transition from those facilities is difficult due to the lack of community rehabilitation centers. Consequently, relapses are common. Furthermore, most treatment programs are not age-appropriate, having limited effects on younger people. The human brain does not complete structural development until around age 25. Drugs change the structure and functions of the teenage brain, with serious health implications. Treatment programs, therefore, must be age-appropriate to maximize effectiveness.
Teens, and even preteens, can benefit from drug prevention education. Currently, the Korean education system does not require such programs despite increasing drug use. Prevention education must go beyond scare tactics, because teens tend to find emphasizing or exaggerating the dangers of drug use irrelevant and dismiss the messages.
Those tactics can also backfire with high-risk youth or even trigger past trauma. The emphasis should be on reinforcing making healthy choices and promoting healthy lifestyles. Education sessions should explain basic health risks and drug categories, and discuss peer pressure and legal ramifications. Sessions should also engage family members and teachers and identify community resources to counter illicit drug use. Lastly, former drug users can be invited to share their experiences with teens to help develop a realistic understanding of illicit drug use.
Illicit drug use has weakened the fabric of Korean society, incurring implicit and explicit economic and societal costs. Korea can lower illicit drug use by recognizing it as a major social problem and investing in age-appropriate prevention education and early detection of vulnerability to drug abuse. Society-level responsibility and engagement will enable Korea to build a healthier country for the current generation and those to come.
Ma Kyung-hee (kyungheem@daum.net) is an editor and researcher. Her work focuses on community capacity building.
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According to the National Police Agency, there were 10,304 drug-related arrests in 1999, up three times compared to 1992. In response, the Narcotic Control Act was enacted in 2000, establishing narcotics units and investigation teams. Additionally, the government delivered strong anti-drug messages to the public through traditional media. However, drug problems have persisted, enhanced by relaxed travel restrictions and technological advancements facilitating the easy procurement of narcotics.
In 2021, there were a record 16,153 drug offenders. Previously, drug use was highest among people in their forties, accounting for nearly 40 percent of all age groups. But in 2021, those in their twenties had the highest representation, at 32 percent. What is most concerning is an upsurge in drug abuse among teens, from 121 in 2016 to 450 in 2021. The types of drugs used expanded from marijuana to synthetic opioids including fentanyl. As the actual number of offenders is estimated to be around 28 times higher than the number arrested, the situation with teens warrants immediate attention.
Younger people have easier access to illicit drugs due to their hyperconnected lives. Online anonymity, cryptocurrency, and contactless delivery methods enable the persistent popularity of illicit drug use. Furthermore, potent and hazardous new synthetic drugs appear frequently and police cannot keep up. Most drug-related activities occur in cyberspace and are highly individualized, which stymies government control. As a result, illicit drug use is expected to continue to increase, particularly among young people, unless adequate prevention education and interventions are provided.
Drug addiction has a high recidivism rate in Korea because the country lacks well-equipped, community-based treatment centers and mental health professionals. Treatment is typically provided within correctional facilities, but the transition from those facilities is difficult due to the lack of community rehabilitation centers. Consequently, relapses are common. Furthermore, most treatment programs are not age-appropriate, having limited effects on younger people. The human brain does not complete structural development until around age 25. Drugs change the structure and functions of the teenage brain, with serious health implications. Treatment programs, therefore, must be age-appropriate to maximize effectiveness.
Teens, and even preteens, can benefit from drug prevention education. Currently, the Korean education system does not require such programs despite increasing drug use. Prevention education must go beyond scare tactics, because teens tend to find emphasizing or exaggerating the dangers of drug use irrelevant and dismiss the messages.
Those tactics can also backfire with high-risk youth or even trigger past trauma. The emphasis should be on reinforcing making healthy choices and promoting healthy lifestyles. Education sessions should explain basic health risks and drug categories, and discuss peer pressure and legal ramifications. Sessions should also engage family members and teachers and identify community resources to counter illicit drug use. Lastly, former drug users can be invited to share their experiences with teens to help develop a realistic understanding of illicit drug use.
Illicit drug use has weakened the fabric of Korean society, incurring implicit and explicit economic and societal costs. Korea can lower illicit drug use by recognizing it as a major social problem and investing in age-appropriate prevention education and early detection of vulnerability to drug abuse. Society-level responsibility and engagement will enable Korea to build a healthier country for the current generation and those to come.
Ma Kyung-hee (kyungheem@daum.net) is an editor and researcher. Her work focuses on community capacity building.
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