GOV`T ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM READY FOR CLASSROOMS IN 2003

Primary, middle and high school students will be required to receive
anti-drug education for more than two hours every semester starting in
2003, the Prime Minister's Office announced yesterday.

As part of an initiative aimed at combating juvenile drug abuse, the
government also decided to set up a task force involving related agencies,
including the National Intelligence Service, officials said.

The decision was made during an interagency meeting presided over by Prime
Minister Lee Han-dong.

Participants agreed to work out further details and put measures in place
next month, the officials said.

The measures will permit suspension of indictment for drug users and
suspended sentences for convicted narcotic addicts, in order to provide
them with medical treatment and rehabilitation.

The government will also set up special narcotics squads at the Supreme
Public Prosecutor's Office, the National Police Agency and the Korea
Customs Service. An "anti-drug intelligence center" will be set up to
coordinate their activities.

Under the plan, the authorities will strengthen drug inspection at
airports, ports and postal offices.

For instance, they will pick one flight arriving at Incheon International
Airport each day and inspect all its baggage, officials said.

In addition, the government will raise the ceiling on cash rewards for
those who report narcotics-related crimes, from the current 30 million won
to 50 million won.

Participants also agreed to make anti-drug education in schools a regular
class as part of a long-term plan.

In each city and province, special care centers will be established to help
rehabilitate juvenile drug addicts.