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.
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.”
Reporter Shin Hyeyeon shin.hyeyeon@joongang.co.kr
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How can the medical community effectively balance the need for doctors to access necessary medications while mitigating the risk of abuse and addiction?
## Open-Ended Questions for Discussion Based on the Article:
Here are some open-ended discussion questions based on the article, categorized by thematic sections:
**I. The Rise of Drug Offenses Among Doctors:**
1. **Access and Temptation:** The article mentions that doctors have access to medical narcotics, leading to increased temptation. How can we balance the need for doctors to access necessary medications with the risk of abuse?
2. **Underlying Causes:** Beyond access, what other factors might be contributing to the rise in drug offenses among doctors? Could it be related to stress, burnout, or societal pressures?
3. **Professional Responsibility:** What are the ethical implications of doctors engaging in drug offenses, and how can the medical community better address this issue?
**II. Self-Medication and the Law:**
1. **Self-Prescribing:** The article highlights concerns about “self-medication” among doctors. What are the ethical and legal dilemmas associated with doctors prescribing themselves medications, particularly narcotics?
2. **New Regulations:** Do you think stricter regulations, like designating propofol as a self-prescription target, are effective in curbing self-medication among medical professionals?
3. **Alternative Solutions:** Are there other strategies besides stricter regulations that could effectively address the issue of self-medication among doctors?
**III. Broader Societal Implications:**
1. **General Public Perception:** How can this rise in drug offenses among doctors affect the public’s trust in the medical profession?
2. **Education and Awareness:** What role can education and awareness campaigns play in preventing drug abuse among both medical professionals and the general public?
3. **Addressing Root Causes:** What broader societal factors contribute to drug abuse? How can we address these underlying issues to create a healthier society?
**IV. Role of Law Enforcement and Technology:**
1. **Crackdowns and Prevention:** While the article mentions the effectiveness of strengthened police crackdowns, are there other proactive methods that could better prevent drug offenses among medical staff?
2. **Drug Management Systems:** How can advancements in technology, such as improved drug management systems, help curb drug abuse and diversion?
3. **Balancing Control with Access:** How can we ensure that effective drug control measures do not unnecessarily hinder access to essential medications for patients who genuinely need them?
**Note:** These questions are designed to encourage thought-proving discussion and are not meant to have definitive answers.
