[2022 National Audit] Drug Offenders Increasing Again This Year... "Need to Expand Counseling and Treatment Centers"

Assemblyman Kim Min-seok, Shortage of Addiction Management Support Centers and Treatment Facilities... Severe Regional Imbalance

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] Although drug offenders are rapidly increasing again, counseling and treatment institutions to prevent recidivism remain insufficient.

On the 6th, Kim Min-seok, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, analyzed data from the Korea Customs Service and found that last year, the number of drug smuggling crackdowns and the amount of smuggled drugs were 1,054 cases and 1,272 kg respectively, representing a 51% and 757% increase compared to the previous year (696 cases and 148 kg).

Generally, when smuggling crackdowns increase, the amount of drugs distributed domestically decreases, resulting in a reduction in drug offenders. Last year, the number of drug offenders was 16,153, which is 10.5% less than the previous year (18,050).

However, this year, the number of drug offenders has risen again, with 10,575 individuals caught through crackdowns as of July. If this trend continues, the number of drug offenders this year is expected to exceed last year's figures.

Current Status of Narcotics Control
Photo by Minseok Kim Office

Since half of the drug offenders are users, counseling and treatment for prevention and rehabilitation must be conducted. In particular, only about 11% of drug offenders are detained, while the remaining approximately 90% are not in custody, making counseling and treatment even more necessary. However, related infrastructure remains insufficient. Last year, drug users accounted for 52.8% (8,522 people) of all drug offenders, but there are only 50 Integrated Addiction Management Support Centers nationwide.

Especially, 64.3% (10,413 people) of all drug offenders last year were from the Seoul metropolitan area, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon, but there are only 11 Integrated Addiction Management Support Centers in the metropolitan area: 3 in Seoul, 5 in Incheon, and 8 in Gyeonggi. Based on the proportion of drug offenders, there should be at least 25 centers in the metropolitan area, but the current number is less than half of that.

Assemblyman Kim pointed out, "The bigger problem is that even the three centers established in Seoul are concentrated in Gangbuk-gu, Nowon-gu, and Dobong-gu, resulting in low geographic accessibility."

Drug addiction treatment and protection institutions are also absolutely insufficient, with only 21 nationwide. Gangnam Eulji Hospital, which used to handle 100 to 200 patients annually, was removed from designated facilities in 2019 due to financial burdens from unpaid fees. Geunbit Hospital in Ulsan, which lacked suitable wards and specialized personnel and programs for drug addiction treatment, operated only until early 2019 before closing.

In Sejong City, there is not a single drug addiction treatment and protection institution. In Seoul, there are only two facilities in Gwangjin-gu and Eunpyeong-gu, and the number of patients receiving treatment and rehabilitation was minimal: 4 in 2019, 5 in 2020, 3 in 2021, and 2 from January to June this year.

Assemblyman Kim emphasized, "Currently, the number of addiction management treatment centers and medical institutions dedicated to treatment is very insufficient, and they are geographically concentrated, making it practically very difficult for drug offenders to receive counseling and treatment. If the Ministry of Health and Welfare does not take active measures, the drug addiction problem will result in significant social costs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.