Recently, as flyers promoting drug sales have been repeatedly found at universities in the Seoul metropolitan area, and drugs have been infiltrating mainly among young people in their 20s, universities have taken proactive measures such as strengthening patrols and prevention campaigns to protect students. Experts suggest that these university activities help raise awareness about drugs and recommend continuous efforts.
Drug promotion flyers found at Hongik University, Konkuk University, Gachon University, and others. A man in his 40s who distributed the flyers was urgently arrested on the 20th of last month on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act. /Source=Online community
According to university sources on the 2nd, Konkuk University instructed building managers to strengthen vigilance against unauthorized access after student entry hours starting from the 20th of last month, when drug flyers were discovered on campus. Most buildings restrict access after 10 p.m., and suspicious individuals can be immediately reported to the police. A Konkuk University official said, "We have systems like CCTV installed and have supplemented personnel," adding, "The purpose is to protect students by enhancing patrols."
Hongik University, where drug flyers were first found, also decided to strengthen patrols. Hongik expanded the existing student-centered patrol group called 'Wow Sarang Volunteers.' The patrol team increased from 10 to 15 members, and the patrol areas are monitored more thoroughly. A Hongik University official said, "Students who have completed military service are consistently patrolling to protect the school themselves." Gachon University also tightened vigilance by conducting a thorough inspection of all building restrooms after drug flyers were found in the art building's restroom.
Kyung Hee University posted a message on social networking service (SNS) on the 25th of last month to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs. The post, titled "Drug Prevention Campaign," included a video warning about the risks of drugs and a cautionary statement. /Source=Kyung Hee University SNS
Universities where drug flyers have not been distributed also joined drug prevention activities. Kyung Hee University posted a message on its official social media on the 25th of last month, raising awareness about the dangers of drugs. The post titled "Drug Prevention Campaign" included a video warning about drugs and the message, "Drugs are a maze with no exit; never start." It also provided contact numbers for police, prosecutors, and customs for reporting drug crimes. Yonsei University also joined the 'NO EXIT' campaign, reflecting growing calls to eradicate drugs centered around university communities.
This is interpreted as universities recognizing the seriousness of drugs infiltrating university areas and young people in their 20s and responding accordingly. The Gwangjin Police Station in Seoul arrested and sent to prosecution a man in his 40s, Mr. A, on the 1st for violating the Narcotics Control Act after distributing business card-sized flyers with the phrase "Contact me if you have liquid marijuana" at Konkuk University, Hongik University, and Gachon University. The number of drug offenders in their 20s has also been increasing every year. According to the National Police Agency, the number of drug offenders in their 20s was 1,392 in 2018, 3,211 in 2020, 3,507 in 2021, and 4,203 last year.
Positive evaluations have been made regarding these university drug responses. Professor Yeom Geon-ung of the Department of Police Science at U1 University said, "Drug use among young people in their 20s often starts from curiosity, thinking of it as a minor deviation," adding, "Since it is important not to start drugs at all, if universities' promotional activities to raise awareness of drug harms do not remain one-time events, they will help prevent drug use among their students."
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