[Editorial] Drugs permeating cram schools in Gangnam

Daechi-dong, home to thousands of private academies and cram schools in Korea, has been shaken by a blackmail scheme after an unidentified group of people handed out energy drinks laced with illicit stimulant components. The police are investigating the unprecedented case by arresting suspects who had invited students to a free tasting of beverages pitched as helpful in enhancing memory and concentration. After securing the phone numbers of their parents, the criminal ring demanded money by threatening to report their children for drug use. Six victims have been reported so far, but the police believe there are be more.

Methamphetamine, a synthetic drug developed in Japan, is a central nervous system stimulant that is often found in rave scenes or prescribed as a second-line treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The drug seeped into the Gangnam district a couple of years back as an attention booster. The drinks handed out for free tasting had the label “Mega ADHD” to appeal to students struggling to keep up concentration against fatigue and stress.

Drugs no longer foreign in Korea are oozing toward students. The police last month detained a 14-year-old girl for taking meth. She was able to get the drug easily off Telegram. Due to easier access, drug cases involving teenagers increased to 294 in 2022 from 104 in 2018.

The surge in drug abuse among teenagers suggests a lack of oversight by authorities. Drugs are accessible to teenagers and those in their 20s through social media, crypto payment and non-contact delivery. The prices have sharply come down due to increased supplies from China and elsewhere. Of 18,395 caught for drug use last year, 34.2 percent were in their teens and 20s, more than double from 15.8 percent in 2017.

Celebrities who abuse drugs also have been a bad influence on teenagers. Actor Yoo Ah-in and the grandchildren of a former president and conglomerate founders as well as sons of high-profile politicians have been making news headlines.

Lenient punishment has been another stimulant. Composer and producer Don Spike walked away free with a suspended sentence in the first trial despite having massive drugs in possession and consuming 14 times. Others tried for drug use also mostly receive suspended sentences.

Given the high recidivism rate in drug offenses of around 40 percent, rehab programs are essential to help addicts kick the habit.

More attention must be given to teenagers as drug abuse can be up to seven time more damaging to their brains than adults. Preventive actions and changes in lenient attitudes toward drugs are essential in driving out harmful drugs from our society.