Eunpyeong-gu 'Creating a Drug-Free Healthy Eunpyeong' Campaign

Eunpyeong-gu Launches ‘Creating a Drug-Free Healthy Eunpyeong’ Campaign

Promotion Campaign on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking... Focused on Subways, Schools, and Academy Districts

Education to Prevent Drug-Related Crimes

Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) announced on June 26 that it will conduct a promotional campaign titled ‘Creating a Drug-Free Healthy Eunpyeong’ in observance of the ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’.

Now in its 37th year, the ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (June 26)’ is a commemorative day established by the United Nations (UN) to raise awareness about drugs and build a healthy society free from drug abuse.

This year, the district plans to focus its campaign on areas with high foot traffic such as subway stations, schools, and academy districts. The goal is to raise public awareness about drugs and increase residents’ interest and participation in eradicating illegal drugs.

According to data from the National Police Agency, the total number of drug offenders in South Korea in 2022 was 18,395, an increase of more than 30% compared to 14,123 in 2017. The proportion of offenders in their teens and twenties surged from 15.8% in 2017 to 34.2% in 2022. Since youth are vulnerable to temptation and adept at online transactions, many start out of curiosity but may develop addiction symptoms, requiring significant attention.

Reflecting the nationwide rise in drug-related crimes, the district is conducting educational programs to inform about the dangers of drug and substance addiction and to prevent illegal use. The education targets younger age groups with low awareness of drug and substance abuse, including elementary, middle, and high schools, community child centers, kindergartens, and daycare centers.

Drug-related crimes can be punishable even for simple possession. Purchasing or using drugs can lead to severe penalties, even for first-time offenders. Therefore, education must be strengthened from an early age to discourage interest in drugs and to raise awareness of their dangers.

Starting in July, health centers in Eunpyeong-gu and the other 24 districts of Seoul will offer anonymous drug testing. This system will allow victims unknowingly exposed to drugs to conduct self-tests without risking the disclosure of personal information.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety operates various rehabilitation education programs for drug offenders in cooperation with prosecutors and courts. Seoul City supports the healthy social reintegration of individuals addicted to drugs and harmful substances. After treatment protection review, full treatment costs are covered for up to one year at designated hospitals such as Seoul Metropolitan Eunpyeong Hospital.

Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, stated, “We will continue to conduct promotional and educational activities to prevent drugs from infiltrating our daily lives,” adding, “We will do our best to create a healthy Eunpyeong free from illegal drugs.”

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