[Book Sip] Why the Slogan "Drugs Are a Maze with No Exit" Is Dangerous

Editor's NoteSome sentences encapsulate the entire content of a book, while others instantly resonate with readers, creating a connection with the book. Here, we excerpt and introduce such meaningful sentences from the book.

Drug abuse has become a serious social problem. According to the 'White Paper on Drug Crimes' published by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the number of drug offenders in South Korea increased from 14,123 in 2017 to 18,395 in 2022. Among them, 60% are aged 30 or younger, and over 10,000 are arrested annually. As the severity grows, relevant authorities have recently launched a drug eradication campaign under the slogan 'NO EXIT, a maze with no way out.' However, the author, who has worked as a drug specialist lawyer for over a decade, raises objections. While emphasizing the dangers of drugs is understandable, declaring that there is no way out is not much different from the fact that our society has not made efforts to support the social reintegration of drug offenders. The author stresses that to eradicate drugs, it is necessary not only to punish and isolate but also to provide a second chance. Just as much as crackdowns and punishments, treatment and attempts at social reintegration are important, but the author highlights the reality by pointing out that 85% of the drug addiction treatment budget requested by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2024 was cut.

What a lawyer does is ultimately to clean up after someone... When handling many criminal cases, you often meet people who are slightly crooked rather than upright, and you see more people skilled in lying than honest ones. However, it is necessary to look into someone's bright side, good energy, and potentially positive future. Isn't that what it means to support someone? - p.38~39

The frightening aspect of Philopon (methamphetamine) is that even a single dose can damage the dopamine system in our brain. After quitting, one’s body may never feel happiness again. As the tremendous side effects and addictiveness of Philopon became clear, almost all countries designated it as a narcotic and strictly prohibited it. Nevertheless, Philopon is still distributed as a drug in many countries. South Korea is a representative example. - p.59

No one knew about his drug use. Although his son, who lived alone, had recently been less in contact and did not come home as often as before, the family noticed nothing. His coworkers were unaware too. He was never late and worked hard. Even if he looked a bit tired, everyone thought it was because he worked too hard. No one noticed that he was breaking down inside. - p.94

They say hate the sin, not the sinner. However, the opposite happens with drug cases. People hate the person more than the crime. This is even more true if the person is a family member. Parents of children who use drugs are very confused about how to treat their child. In addition to the complex emotions parents of criminals have toward their children, parents of drug users constantly doubt their children. - p.101

In South Korea’s detention centers or prisons, nothing is done except isolation from drugs... They simply lock up drug offenders in a cell until their sentence is served. Considering the reality where drug offenders share information and form networks there, detention centers and prisons can be criticized as institutions that actually foster drug recidivism, and there is no excuse for this. - p.110~111

Upon learning that their child was addicted to drugs, the parents put everything aside and devoted themselves to their child's detoxification and treatment... After the counseling session, I sat for a long time reading the detox diary. I was moved. J’s will to quit was strong. And there was a family member with an even stronger will beside him. I thought this was enough to persuade the court. No, actually, I just wanted to support J. I believed the efforts of his parents should bear fruit. - p.127~128

J turned his back on the court. He silently looked at the gallery for a few seconds. Then he made his final statement to his parents, who were kneeling and praying in the gallery. His short sentence was heavier than my long defense and pierced through the noisy courtroom to reach everyone’s ears. “Thank you for not giving up on me.” - p.133

I can understand the investigative agencies’ desire for their cases to be featured in the news and to attract public attention. However, in South Korea, where the fundamental principle of criminal law is the presumption of innocence and the crime of disclosing suspect facts exists, the reality that every move of drug investigations involving celebrities is disclosed in real time through the media is a behavior that legal professionals cannot help but frown upon. - p.142

Lawyers inevitably coexist with the evil nature of humans... Of course, there are times when lawyers argue for the innocence of wrongfully accused defendants in criminal courts. But just as doctors do not only treat good people, lawyers do not only defend good defendants. Sometimes, lawyers must defend evil natures and wrongful acts. That is humanity, and that is what it means to be a lawyer. - p.157

He was smart, but above all, diligent. He really ‘worked hard’ selling drugs. At the time, he devised ways to evade police investigations by using a then unfamiliar Bitcoin purchasing agency... Rumors even said that he, in his early twenties, earned tens of billions of won. As his reputation grew, users sought him more, and more dealers wanted to work with him. In a short time, he became a giant in the Telegram drug rooms. - p.166

What virtues are necessary for an excellent lawyer? Of course, there are many, but among them, a very important one is ‘empathy and trust’ toward clients... ‘Virtues’ are things we believe we must have and firmly uphold, but paradoxically, they are difficult to acquire and even harder to maintain. Convictions often break, and initial intentions are easily lost. The longer I work as a lawyer, the more I feel my ‘empathy and trust’ dulling. Some days, I find myself doubting or easily judging clients. Then a strong feeling that something is seriously wrong overwhelms me. - p.217~218

Even if a lawyer judges that there are unjust parts, if it seems difficult to impeach the evidence of guilt, the lawyer inevitably struggles. Should they fully believe the client and argue for innocence, or persuade the client to admit guilt and seek leniency? In reality, where asserting innocence itself is seen as a factor unfavorable to sentencing, lawyers mostly choose the latter. As a result, defendants and lawyers hesitate to actively defend and remain passive in their defense. - p.223~224

Why I Become a Drug Lawyer | Written by An Junhyeong | Seikorea | 280 pages | 18,800 KRW