Drug addiction is no longer just a distant story we used to hear about in international headlines. On Aug. 29, the Seoul Metropolitan Police posted a video on YouTube showing a woman collapsing in the middle of the crosswalk, later revealed to have taken drugs. This is just one example of the many drug-related cases recently reported in Korea. Once known as a drug-free nation, Korea is now suffering from frequent drug-related issues. According to the Korea National Police Agency  (KNPA), the number of drug trafficking offenders arrested in the first half of 2024 has surged to 2,725. 

The threat of drugs has been shown to affect not only older adults but also younger people, including college students. A recent report about an inter-school club, where college students collectively consumed drugs, has demonstrated this threat and shocked the public. Mr. Yeom, the president of the club “Kkanbu,”  has been indicted by the prosecutors for consuming, distributing, and trafficking drugs. Yeom has been confirmed to have been using drugs with the club members since December 2022, following the founding of the club in 2021. He is also reported to have drawn club members into drug trafficking and consumption. Executive members of the club, including Yeom, selected members who were highly involved in club activities and invited them to private meetings. Here they encouraged them to consume liquid cannabis and later introduced them to various other drugs, including LSD and methamphetamine. 

Such inappropriate activities have driven the club members into drug addiction. Yeom gradually increased the potency of the drugs, and their use occurred in various locations, including hotels, amusement parks, and even abroad. Yeom and the executive members sold the drugs to the club members and left a margin of 100,000 KRW per case. It has been confirmed that at least 12 million  KRW worth of drugs were sold within the club last year alone. 

This case undoubtedly highlights the threat of drugs to college students. The club was composed of students from prestigious universities, and some members were found to be preparing for the LEET, the Korean law school admission test. The incident surely underscores that the drug issue can affect anyone, anywhere, including those close to us. It is now crucial for individuals to understand the dangers of drug use and for the government to strictly enforce drug regulations across the public.