Gwangju Seo-gu to Conduct 'Anonymous Drug Testing' Starting from the 18th

Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kim Ikang) announced on the 15th that it will conduct the region’s first-ever “Anonymous Drug Testing” starting from the 18th.

Seo-gu is promoting “Anonymous Drug Testing” to protect residents from drug crimes committed by others, such as the recent “Gangnam Academy District Drug Drink Incident” and “Pongdang Drug,” where drugs are secretly slipped into others’ drinks at clubs frequently visited by young people, aiming to block early exposure to drugs.

Seo-gu will conduct the first anonymous drug testing among metropolitan cities at the Seo-gu Public Health Center starting from the 18th.
[Photo by Seo-gu]

The test targets Seo-gu residents suspected of drug exposure, and testing is possible after completing a preliminary questionnaire via QR code. The test is completely free of charge.

However, those who wish to take legal action as victims of drug crimes, drug addicts undergoing rehabilitation treatment, those seeking job-related testing, and those who have used medically prescribed drugs within the last two weeks are excluded from the target group.

The test will be conducted on the 2nd floor of the Seo-gu Public Health Center’s Clinical Pathology Laboratory using a urine test method with medical drug test kits for six substances: marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, morphine (opioids), amphetamine, and ecstasy.

Test results can be received by phone the next day, and confidentiality is guaranteed in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act.

Seo-gu will guide those who test positive to local general hospitals capable of conducting secondary detailed tests, and for those who wish, provide counseling related to drug addiction through the Korea Drug Prevention Movement Headquarters and the Seo-gu Integrated Addiction Management Support Center.

Additionally, among those who test positive, if they wish to pursue investigations related to drug crimes, they will be connected to investigative agencies such as the Western Police Station to assist the victims.

Mayor Kim Ikang of Seo-gu said, “People can be unknowingly exposed to drugs in daily life, but due to concerns about personal information, many avoid testing, leading to the spread of drug addiction damage. To prevent this, we will provide an anonymous testing system to detect drug exposure damage early and help victims recover quickly through counseling support.”

Meanwhile, to proactively respond to drug use issues, Seo-gu Public Health Center formed a “Drug Harm Prevention and Management Strengthening Working Committee” in January with seven related organizations, including the Western Police Station, Seo-gu Integrated Addiction Management Support Center, and the Gwangju-Jeonnam branch of the Korea Drug Prevention Movement Headquarters.

▲ Appointing honorary drug prevention officers and conducting promotional campaigns to prevent drug misuse and abuse ▲ Providing drug misuse and abuse prevention education for youth ▲ Strengthening drug management at medical and pharmaceutical establishments, Seo-gu is making multifaceted efforts to protect residents’ safety from drugs and harmful substances.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shin Dongho baekok@asiae.co.kr