From Drugged Driving to Serial Murders... Loopholes in the Management of 'Medical Narcotics' Beyond Hospital Walls

Number of Patients Prescribed ADHD Medication Doubled in Four Years
Narcotics Rebranded as Diet Pills and Study Aids
Illegal Distribution of Narcotics Using Cryptocurrency
Experts: "Mandatory Verification of Medication History Needed"

#. Mr. A (25), who had trouble concentrating on his studies during his years as a student preparing for exams, visited a psychiatrist. Although he suspected he might have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) through an online assessment, he thought it would be difficult to get a prescription right away since the medication is known to contain narcotic ingredients. However, at the first hospital he visited, the doctor prescribed the medication immediately after hearing about his symptoms. This is possible because in psychiatry, a clinical interview alone is sufficient for a doctor to prescribe medication.

#. Mr. B (26), a college student who has been taking ADHD medication for six years since the COVID-19 pandemic, receives a month's supply each time he visits the hospital. During exam periods, when he felt extremely drowsy, he would sometimes take double the prescribed dose on his own. Later, he confessed this to his doctor but did not face any particular intervention. Mr. B expressed concern, saying, "Sometimes I increase the dosage myself, and when my mental state is poor, I worry that taking them all at once could be fatal."

With psychiatric drugs being repeatedly found in incidents such as the fall from Banpo Bridge in Seoul and a series of motel murders, the loopholes in the management of medical narcotics have come under scrutiny. Cases of misuse are spreading even to ADHD medications classified as narcotics, such as methylphenidate, leading to calls for overall strengthening of management and oversight.

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on March 26, the number of patients prescribed medical narcotics last year reached 19,196,000, an increase of 7.2% (1,352,000) compared to 2021. During the same period, the number of patients prescribed propofol surged by 20.2% (1,977,691) to 11,752,765, and prescriptions for methylphenidate more than doubled to 392,000.

This rise is attributed to the increased use of medical narcotic drugs for non-therapeutic purposes. According to the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee, in 2023, 45.2% of ADHD medication prescriptions were non-reimbursed. Professor Lee Haeguk from the Department of Psychiatry at Catholic University pointed out, "The rapid increase in prescriptions is due to greater awareness among patients, leading to more people seeking treatment early on." However, he added, "At the same time, non-medical demand is also rising, with these drugs being used as substitutes for narcotics or as a way to enhance concentration."

Drugs such as zolpidem and propofol, which are categorized as hypnotics and sedatives, have effects that calm the brain and induce sleep, making them susceptible to criminal misuse. In contrast, stimulant and excitant drugs like methylphenidate are reportedly used by some, including drug addicts receiving treatment, as substitutes to experience their effects. If not taken in pill form but instead crushed into powder and consumed in excess, these drugs can induce hallucinations.

Inquiring about purchasing the ADHD medication 'Concerta' through Telegram, the seller provides information on purchase amounts and payment methods. Screenshot of the Telegram chat room

Illegal purchases through social networking services (SNS) are also widespread. The ADHD medication 'Concerta', known as a 'focus-enhancing drug' or 'study aid', is a prime example. After entering 'Concerta purchase' in an online search engine and inquiring via the seller's Telegram ID provided, a reply was received stating, "Concerta 18mg, 30 tablets for 250,000 won; Phenid 10mg, 200 tablets for 350,000 won." The seller explained that the drugs would be shipped via Korea Post's parcel service, and transactions could be made with mobile gift certificates or Tether (USDT) cryptocurrency.

Experts point out the need for a more thorough management system for narcotic drugs. Professor Lee Haeguk noted, "Through the Narcotics Information Management System (NIMS), prescription records are logged to prevent duplicate prescriptions at different hospitals." However, he also stressed, "Physicians or pharmacists are not required to check individual patients' medication histories when prescribing medical narcotics, so there are clear limitations in actually preventing misuse."

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