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.