Antiepileptics, Sedatives, and Sleeping Pills Designated as 'Items for Suicide'

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] Antiepileptic drugs, sedatives, sleeping pills, and antiparkinsonian drugs will be additionally designated as 'suicide means substances.'

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 2nd that it will revise the 'Notice on Suicide Means Substances' and implement it on the 3rd, considering the increasing trend of suicide deaths caused by drug overdose.

Through this revision, substances that induce toxic effects from antiepileptic drugs, sedatives, sleeping pills, and antiparkinsonian drugs will be additionally designated. The number of suicide deaths last year increased by 3.2% compared to the previous year (13,799), and among them, the increase in deaths due to drug overdose was as high as 30.9% (32 → 419).

The 'Notice on Suicide Means Substances' was established in January 2020 to regulate 'suicide means substances' that are frequently used or likely to be used as suicide methods. The purpose is to prevent the illegal distribution and sale of suicide-inducing substances, which are called 'suicide drugs' online, and to reduce suicide deaths caused by drug overdose.

When the 'Notice on Suicide Means Substances' was established, substances such as ▲ briquettes producing carbon monoxide ▲ pesticides including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides were designated as suicide means substances.

Persons who distribute suicide means substances via information and communication networks for the purpose of inducing suicide are subject to imprisonment for up to two years or a fine of up to 20 million won under Article 25, Paragraph 3 of the Suicide Prevention Act. Also, those who purchase or express intent to purchase suicide means substances online will be located by police or fire services and receive emergency rescue.

The Korea Life Respect Hope Foundation and the National Police Agency continuously monitor online suicide-inducing information and conduct reporting and deletion activities. Kwak Sook-young, Director of Mental Health Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, “We will continue to manage and strengthen suicide means substances frequently used as suicide methods to create a safe society.”