Gangnam-gu to Open “Integrated Addiction Management Support Center” for Drugs and More on November 10

Integrated Response to Alcohol, Drug, Gambling, and Digital Addiction

Gangnam-gu in Seoul (Mayor Cho Sungmyung) will open the “Integrated Addiction Management Support Center” on the 5th floor of Gangnam-gu Public Health Center on November 10. As the first specialized addiction support institution in the Gangnam area, the center will serve as a hub for proactively addressing various addiction issues, including alcohol, drugs, gambling, and digital addiction.

Gang Kiwhan, Director of Gangnam-gu Addiction Management Integrated Support Center, is conducting a counseling session. Provided by Gangnam-gu.

Until now, there have only been three addiction centers in the northern part of Seoul, with no public integrated addiction center in the Gangnam area, raising concerns about regional imbalance. In particular, Gangnam-gu accounts for approximately 27% of all drug-related reports in Seoul, and the problem of excessive smartphone and internet use among teenagers is also severe in the district.

The center signed a consignment agreement with Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital of the Catholic University of Korea in July, and a total of six professionals will be assigned. The center’s main work includes early detection and intervention of addiction, support for counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation, family counseling and education, addiction harm prevention education, and cooperation with the local community.

In particular, the center plans to strengthen drug and digital addiction prevention education for adolescents and young adults, and will operate a variety of practical recovery support programs, including self-help groups, family counseling, and both phone and in-person counseling at the center.

Mayor Cho Sungmyung of Gangnam-gu stated, “We will ensure that the public sector takes responsibility for building a system where anyone can receive the help they need, so that no one is isolated or neglected due to addiction,” and added, “We will continue to proactively address addiction issues and do our utmost to help residents regain healthy daily lives.”

The opening ceremony for the center will be held at 2 p.m. on November 10 on the first floor of Gangnam-gu Public Health Center, with around 100 attendees, including members of the National Assembly, Seoul city officials, Lee Jiyeol, Director of Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital of the Catholic University of Korea, and representatives from local organizations.

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