Drug Offenders Numbering 'Over 10,000 Annually' in the Past 3 Years... "Sharp Increase Among Teens and 20s"

Rep. Jung Woo-taek of the People Power Party Announces Data Received from the National Police Agency

Jung Woo-taek, Member of the People Power Party / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] It has been confirmed that more than 10,000 drug offenders have occurred annually over the past three years. In particular, drug offenders among teenagers and people in their twenties have been rapidly increasing.

According to data submitted by the National Police Agency to Jeong Woo-taek, a member of the People Power Party, the annual number of drug offenders, which was in the 8,000 range from 2016 to 2018, increased to over 10,000 from 2019 to 2021.

By year, the numbers were 10,411 in 2019, 12,209 in 2020, and 10,626 last year. In the first half of this year, there were 5,988 offenders.

By age group, the increase in drug offenders was greatest among teenagers and those in their twenties. The number of teenage drug offenders rose from 81 in 2016 to 309 last year, a 3.81-fold increase over five years. During the same period, the number of offenders in their twenties also increased from 1,327 to 3,507.

By type of drug, the amount of methamphetamine, a psychotropic drug, seized increased sharply from 10,579 grams in 2016 to 65,605 grams in 2021. The number of ecstasy pills seized also surged from 2,601 to 16,778 during the same period.

Rep. Jeong stated, "Because drugs have a strong addictive nature and a very high recidivism rate, even first-time offenders who started out of mere curiosity need to be strongly punished to raise awareness. Along with strengthening the penalties for drug crimes, a fundamental review of treatment and rehabilitation systems must be conducted simultaneously."

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