Gangnam-gu, Free Anonymous Drug Testing

From the 28th, anonymous testing with strict confidentiality will be provided to Seoul citizens unknowingly exposed to drugs

Gangnam-gu (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) will offer free anonymous drug testing at the public health center starting from the 28th.

Gangnam-gu is an area where an average of one million people move daily. It has the highest number of drug-related 112 reports and narcotic drug handling businesses such as plastic surgery clinics in Seoul. Moreover, recent drug incidents, including drug-laced drinks near academies and "pongdang" drugs in clubs and entertainment venues, have increasingly heightened residents' anxiety. In response, the district provides free anonymous testing to alleviate the anxiety of simple victims unknowingly exposed to drugs and to prevent further harm and crimes at an early stage.

Any Seoul citizen can get tested at the second-floor testing room of the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center using a medical narcotics test kit. This test can detect exposure to six types of narcotics (Philopon, marijuana, morphine, cocaine, amphetamine, ecstasy) within 30 minutes. The testing process and results are strictly anonymous. However, ▲those requiring legal action due to drug crimes ▲those requiring tests related to duties or qualifications ▲users with narcotics punishment records, addiction treatment experience, or who use psychotropic or narcotic drugs are not eligible for anonymous testing.

Those who test positive will be guided to a secondary confirmatory testing institution (Seoul Eunpyeong Hospital) and medical welfare support. If a person tests negative but continues to experience anxiety and stress symptoms, psychological counseling will be connected through the Gangnam-gu Mental Health Welfare Center. For youth, counseling support is available at Saishim, a youth-specialized psychological support center.

The district plans to focus promotion around Gangnam Station, where clubs and plastic surgery clinics are concentrated. In October, when many events are scheduled, a large-scale promotion of anonymous drug testing will be conducted through 18 media poles along Gangnam-daero.

Jo Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, stated, “Through this anonymous drug testing, we will quickly identify crime victims anxious about drug exposure and prevent the spread of drug addiction and crime in advance. We will do our best to eradicate illegal narcotics by conducting joint public-private campaigns and providing drug misuse education targeting youth to create a city safe from drugs.”