[Reading Science] "Once is okay"... The Devil's Whisper 'Drug Addiction', Tackled by Science and Technology

Tried Detecting Drugs in Drains, Philopon Found in All Areas
Considered a Disease Requiring Treatment Due to Brain Structure Changes

[Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] As various drugs infiltrate daily life in South Korea, concerns are rising that the country is no longer a 'clean zone.' Government authorities have already begun scientifically investigating the actual state of drug use by testing sewage systems and are working on accurate assessments and countermeasures. Experts suggest early preventive education targeting children and regular drug testing at workplaces, similar to health checkups. Unlike in the past, when law enforcement mainly focused on crackdowns, scientific technology is now being deployed.

At the National Life Science and Technology Forum hosted by the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies on the 28th of last month, these policies and research developments by government authorities and scientists were introduced.

First, Kim Il-su, Director of the Drug Policy Division at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, presented the results of the sewage epidemiology-based drug usage monitoring research conducted since 2020. This scientific method estimates drug usage per population by collecting samples from sewage treatment plants and analyzing the types and amounts of residual drugs using specialized equipment. Director Kim explained, "I initially doubted its effectiveness, but the Burning Sun incident around 2018 greatly contributed to securing the budget," adding, "After some universities successfully detected drugs in sewage, they proposed the implementation, which led to its adoption." Illegal drug use is hidden and secretive, making it impossible to know where, how, and how much is used. However, since drugs are eventually excreted through urine and other means, the idea started from the premise that they would be detectable in sewage.

What were the results of this sewage drug monitoring? In 2020, monitoring 16 types of illegal and medical drugs at 52 sites nationwide revealed that methamphetamine was detected in all regions. Five types of medical drugs were also detected. Regionally, port areas such as Incheon and Busan showed significantly high detection levels, as did areas dense with entertainment facilities. Seasonally, more drugs were detected in autumn compared to spring and summer. Director Kim stated, "It has been confirmed that illegal drugs are used nationwide in South Korea," and added, "From next year, we plan to disclose detailed data such as regional status."

Choi Hwa-kyung, a specialist at the Drug Eradication Movement Headquarters, explained the causes, effects, and countermeasures of drug addiction. According to Specialist Choi, people initially approach drugs out of simple curiosity and confidence that they will not become addicted, but eventually fall into addiction. A survey of 700 drug users found that a staggering 49.4% answered 'curiosity' as the reason. However, drugs distort mood, thinking, judgment, and sensory perception after use, and later change behavior. Some negatively affected individuals never use drugs again, but that is truly a matter of 'sheer luck.'

However, most users eventually become addicted. They first lose 'small but certain happiness' (sohwakhaeng). In other words, it becomes impossible to enjoy the diverse repertoire of life and feel joy and happiness from dopamine released as a gentle natural reward. Instead, only the powerful artificial reward of drugs, which is 2 to 100 times stronger, becomes the source of life’s pleasure, motivation, and reward. Ultimately, the body and mind deteriorate, and brain functions that determine behavior?such as creativity, judgment, decision-making, learning, and memory?are damaged. Specialist Choi shared a case, saying, "It means the brain functions that allow a person to live like a human being are damaged." A representative example is a Porsche driver who took drugs received from a companion in Haeundae in September 2020 and caused a seven-car pileup while speeding on the road. Drug use also leads to disorders in drug use control, memory problems (dementia), difficulties in self-regulation (impulsivity, anger management), and interpersonal coping abilities.

In the past, drug addiction was viewed as a moral failing and lack of willpower, leading to punishment-focused measures. However, since the 1980s, with advances in neuroscience, drug addiction is now considered a disease caused by changes in brain structure that requires treatment.

Various factors influence drug addiction. Genetic factors include family history and vulnerability in people with weak attention, impulsive temperaments, or quickness. Satisfaction ability in the reward circuit and frontal lobe function also affect addiction. Environmental factors include family environments with parental drug or alcohol abuse during childhood and the influence of friends during adolescence.

Specialist Choi emphasized, "Drug use never ends with just one time. Not even once. Just as physical illnesses require treatment when sick, mental disorders also need treatment to prevent addiction risks. Understanding addiction as a disease reduces the risk of relapse." She added, "Sufficient and warm love and care from family are necessary, and the perception must shift from viewing addicts as subjects of punishment, stigma, and shame to patients needing treatment. Nationwide early education for drug addiction prevention and preemptive policies such as workplace drug testing are essential. Support systems for social reintegration of addicts are also needed."