It was calculated that as many as 300 doctors were arrested by the police for drug offenses this year. A drug offender refers to a person who manufactures, distributes, or possesses narcotics, psychotropic drugs, marijuana, etc. by directly administering them or illegally prescribing them.
According to data submitted by the National Police Agency on the 24th to Rep. Yang Bu-nam of the Democratic Party of Korea, a member of the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee, a total of 294 doctors were arrested for drug offenses from January to October of this year alone. If this trend continues, it is predicted that by the end of the year, the number will exceed 323 last year, reaching an all-time high.
According to the police, the number of medical personnel, including doctors and nurses, arrested for drug offenses was 186 in 2020, 212 in 2021, and 186 in 2022. The number of medical drug offenders, which was around 200, has increased significantly since last year to around 300 when estimated by doctors alone.
Experts analyzed that the reason for the rapid increase in the number of drug offenders by doctors is because doctors who handle medical narcotics such as propofol are more likely to fall into the temptation of taking them.
Cho Hyun-seop, a professor of addiction rehabilitation counseling at Chongshin University, said, “70% of the drugs in circulation are for medical purposes, so doctors are exposed to an environment where they can use drugs whenever they want.” He added, “Actor Yoo Ah-in is also in trouble for purchasing homemade drugs.” “As the suspicions were revealed while examining the hospital’s narcotic prescription records, there is a need to provide stronger education to doctors and strengthen punishment,” he said. Actor Yoo Ah-in (38, real name Um Hong-sik) was sentenced to one year in prison in the first trial last September on charges of habitual drug use and was taken into court custody. Yoo Ah-in is accused of habitually administering medical propofol on 181 occasions at hospitals in Seoul from September 2020 to March 2022 under the pretext of anesthesia for cosmetic procedures. Six doctors who inappropriately prescribed drugs to Yoo Ah-in were sentenced to fines.
The problem of ‘self-medication’ by medical personnel is also mentioned as one of the causes. According to data received from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety by People Power Party Rep. Kim Mi-ae, a member of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee, between January and May of this year, 5,265 doctors and dentists ‘self-administered 9,940 narcotic drugs such as anti-anxiety drugs, appetite suppressants, and anti-epileptics. It was revealed that it was prescribed. From February 7th next year, the ‘Narcotics Management Act’ will come into effect, prohibiting doctors and dentists from administering narcotic drugs that are addictive or dependent on themselves. Recently, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is also pursuing a plan to designate propofol as a target for self-prescription.
![Confiscated narcotics items are on display at the briefing on the results of the detection of medical institutions specializing in illegal administration of propofol, etc., held at the Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 20th. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's Drug Crime Special Investigation Team arrested and indicted 7 people, including doctor Seo (64), and 24 others on charges of violating the Narcotic Drugs Control Act, violating the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, and violating the Special Measures Act on Health Crimes Control. He said he was indicted without detention. [뉴스1]](https://i0.wp.com/news.koreadaily.com/data/photo/2024/11/24/2027a4f6-7b39-4ec8-877a-33cc86fb33e8.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
There is also an interpretation that simply because the number of drug offenders has increased, the number of medical practitioners who are drug offenders has also increased. Last year, there were a total of 27,000 drug offenders, showing a rapidly increasing trend, especially among young people. Heunghee Yoon, a professor of Global Addiction Rehabilitation Counseling at Namseoul University Graduate School of International Studies, said, “Recently, the prescription of psychotropic drugs has been increasing, and in some cases, younger generation doctors are not aware of the dangers of drugs, so they recommend them to their acquaintances.” He said, “Medical professionals themselves must be alert as it can instill false perceptions about drugs in young people.”
Strengthened police crackdowns are also considered to be the reason for the increase in statistics on medical staff drug offenders. Hee-seon Jeong, Distinguished Professor of Forensic Science at Sungkyunkwan University, said, “One of the reasons for the recent increase in drug arrests is the advancement of the drug management system. Improving the drug management system like this is the best preventive measure to prevent drug crimes committed by medical professionals.” said. Professor Jeong said, “Even if statistics show that the number of drug offenders among medical staff is increasing right now, it will eventually reduce male and female crimes and serve as an opportunity to sound an alarm among medical staff, which will help suppress drug offenders in the long run.”
Hyeyeon Shin (shin.hyeyeon@joongang.co.kr)
**Beyond government regulations, what role should medical schools and professional development programs play in educating doctors about the dangers of drug abuse and fostering a culture of responsibility within the medical community?**
## World Today News: Doctors and Drugs – An In-Depth Discussion
**Introduction:** Welcome to World Today News, where we delve into pressing societal issues. Today, we’re addressing the alarming rise in drug offenses among doctors, a topic highlighted in a recent report. We have two esteemed guests joining us today to shed light on this complex issue:
* **Professor Cho Hyun-seop**, an expert in addiction rehabilitation counseling from Chongshin University, renowned for his work on substance abuse in medical professionals.
* **Professor Heunghee Yoon**, a leading voice in Global Addiction Rehabilitation Counseling at Namseoul University Graduate School of International Studies, specializing in the intersection of drug use and social trends.
**Section 1: The Rising Numbers**
* **Host:** Professor Cho, the article presents a stark statistic: a potential record-breaking number of doctors arrested for drug offenses this year. What factors contribute to this troubling trend, in your expert opinion?
* **Host:** Professor Yoon, the article also mentions the general rise in drug offenses, particularly among younger demographics. Do you see a correlation between this broader societal trend and drug use among medical professionals, and if so, how?
**Section 2: Accessibility and Temptation**
* **Host:** Professor Cho, the article highlights the accessibility of narcotics in a medical setting as a potential catalyst for drug abuse. Can you elaborate on this, and are there practical measures that could mitigate this risk?
* **Host:** Professor Yoon, the government is implementing stricter controls on the self-prescription of narcotics, like propofol. Do you believe this is an effective strategy, and are there other preventative measures we should consider?
**Section 3: The Role of Awareness and Education**
* **Host:** Professor Cho,
the article cites a lack of awareness about the dangers of drugs among some younger doctors. How crucial is comprehensive education in medical schools and ongoing professional development programs to address this lack of awareness?
* **Host:** Professor Yoon, how can the medical community as a whole play a more proactive role in fostering a culture of responsibility and preventing drug misuse amongst its members?
**Section 4: Beyond Statistics: The Human Impact**
* **Host:** Professor Cho, the case of actor Yoo Ah-in, involved in drug offenses with complicit doctors, raises serious ethical questions. What are the wider implications for the doctor-patient relationship when such abuse occurs?
* **Host:** Professor Yoon, how can society best support medical professionals struggling with addiction, ensuring they receive the help they need while upholding ethical standards and public safety?
**Conclusion:** Thank you, Professor Cho and Professor Yoon, for your valuable insights. The discussion today underscores the complexity of this issue and the need for a multi-faceted approach that combines prevention, education, and support to address the rising number of drug offenses among doctors. We hope this conversation continues to raise awareness and inspire crucial changes.
