Mapo-gu, Full Effort on Drug Abuse Prevention and Anonymous Testing

Free Anonymous Testing for 6 Types of Narcotics Available via QR Code at Mapo-gu Health Center... Active Promotion of Drug Prevention Cooperation and Campaign Booths at Hongdae Red Road and Dance-Allowed Venues

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo District, participating in the drug eradication campaign

Recently, with the increased accessibility to drugs through SNS, the proportion of drug offenders in their teens and twenties has surged, and the number of drug identification requests has quadrupled (80,000 cases) compared to five years ago, according to the National Forensic Service.

In response, Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) is intensifying efforts to make the entire Mapo-gu area a drug-free zone, a popular destination for young domestic and foreign tourists.

The district is first implementing an ‘Anonymous Drug Test’ to alleviate residents' anxiety about possible unintentional exposure to drugs and to prevent further harm and drug spread.

Any Seoul citizen can receive a free test at the Mapo-gu Public Health Center on the 3rd floor, in the Laboratory Medicine Department.

The test uses a QR code to automatically assign a number, which identifies the individual, ensuring strict anonymity. Through a urine test, the presence of six types of drugs (Philopon, opiates, cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines, ecstasy) can be confirmed within 20 minutes.

If the test result is positive, free confirmatory testing and specialized addiction treatment are available at Seoul Eunpyeong Hospital. Additionally, addiction counseling and rehabilitation programs at the Addiction Management Integrated Center can be linked.

Meanwhile, Mapo-gu has been actively promoting drug eradication since July, especially focusing on Hongdae Red Road, a popular area among people in their 20s and 30s and foreign tourists.

In July, a drug prevention campaign was conducted on Hongdae Red Road in collaboration with the Seoul Drug Eradication Movement Headquarters and Dongguk University College of Pharmacy. They also met directly with about 50 representatives of dance-permitted clubs in the Hongdae club district to promote the anonymous drug testing project and strengthen cooperation for drug eradication and prevention.

Furthermore, ongoing drug prevention and eradication activities are being carried out through SNS platforms popular among young people, such as Facebook and YouTube, as well as promotional materials and anonymous testing booths.

Mayor Park Gang-su stated, “Drugs cause irreversible harm from the moment they start. As a representative tourist destination of South Korea and a mecca for youth, Mapo-gu will do its best to create a healthy, drug-free Mapo and actively support drug diagnosis and treatment.”