Pubdate: Wed, 21 Nov 2001
Source: Korea Herald (South Korea)
Copyright:  2001 Korea Herald
Contact:  http://www.koreaherald.co.kr
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/909

CURBING DRUG ABUSE

In its analysis of the global situation in 2000, the International 
Narcotics Control Board commended our government for its law enforcement 
efforts and vigilance as well as its efficient programs to prevent drug 
abuse. The board may be right in believing that drug abuse levels here 
remain "extremely low" in comparison with other regions in the Americas, 
Africa and South Asia. But narcotics demand is also rising at a fast pace 
among Koreans, posing a serious threat to public health and social ethics.

The latest statistics of the Korean Customs Service support concerns about 
the widening exposure of Korean society to the harms of drug abuse. The KCS 
said it confiscated 57.62 kg of controlled drugs in 41 cases from January 
to October of this year, up 65 percent from 34.93 kg seized in 30 cases 
during the corresponding period last year. The prosecution also said that, 
during the same period, it confiscated 76 kg of methamphetamine, or 
philopon, over twice the amount seized last year.

It is generally believed that the drugs actually consumed amount to 20 
times the quantity seized by the law enforcement authorities. And the 
alarming message from these figures aside, the narcotics issue came to the 
fore last week when a popular TV actress was apprehended on charges of 
taking methamphetamine. Many Koreans had their illusions of her pure 
character shattered, and not a few became angry, when their "idol" was 
arrested at her boyfriend's house in the wee hours after drinking whisky 
mixed with a substance that she insisted she took for an aphrodisiac.

Justification for the public outcry and the media reports about the 
actress's private life deserve a separate discussion. Our concern here is 
that the Korean criminal law related to narcotics control prescribes 
penalties for all users, both habitual and occasional, of controlled drugs 
and psychotropic substances. The public dismay seemed to deepen further 
when the police disclosed that a popular singer was also undergoing an 
investigation on charges of marijuana use.

In spite of the dubious prospects of their future careers, the cases of 
both these famous entertainers may have simply been regarded as yet more 
familiar scandals in the entertainment industry. Narcotics have actually 
been associated most often with entertainers and employees at entertainment 
facilities, pursuing liberal lifestyles in this country. But this is no 
longer true. Criminal offenders involved with drug trafficking and abuse 
have not only increased remarkably in number recently, but they come from 
far more diversified sectors of society than before.

Investigators at the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office explain that drugs 
can be obtained far more easily and at much lower prices these days, which 
is the main reason for the rapid rise in narcotics-related offenses. The 
drugs and stimulants are readily available at many commercial 
establishments such as bars, beauty parlors and health clubs as well as on 
the Internet. Under these circumstances, it may be natural that even 
housewives and students are lured without knowing the potentially deadly 
consequences.

Fortunately, the government has set about to work on a comprehensive policy 
package to increase vigilance and countermeasures against the smuggling, 
distribution and abuse of narcotics. A special ad hoc committee of vice 
ministerial-level officials will be set up within this month under the 
prime minister's office to accelerate inter- agency programs. The committee 
will be responsible for policy coordination and guidance for public 
education, prevention of crimes, and rehabilitation and social 
reintegration of offenders.

The basic direction of the government endeavor should be in curbing both 
demand and supply of all harmful substances to prevent their illegal 
trafficking and abuse. Availability of drugs must be reduced to the minimum 
possible through effective law enforcement entailing harsh penalties on 
those who make huge profits from illicit deals. In the meantime, the 
combined approach of the current law giving the option of being treated or 
punished needs to be expanded for the successful rehabilitation of light 
addicts.

In view of the trans-border nature of the issue, all anti-narcotics drives 
require inter-government networks for quick and efficient joint operations. 
Considering that China has emerged as a major manufacturer and transport 
route for philopon and other narcotics smuggled into this country, it is 
most urgent for our government to build cooperative arrangements with 
Beijing. This is even more crucial when a large number of clandestine 
manufacturers are Koreans who went to China to avoid the regulations here.
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MAP posted-by: Rebel