"Support for Social Reintegration of Drug Offenders"... 17 Addiction Rehabilitation Centers Established Nationwide

MFDS Expects Efficient Operation of 'Judicial-Treatment-Rehabilitation Linkage Model'

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 28th that it has completed the installation of 17 'Hamkkehan Georeum Centers,' a core infrastructure for social rehabilitation of drug addiction, nationwide. Accordingly, the ministry expects the 'Judicial-Treatment-Rehabilitation Linkage Model,' which supports the social reintegration of drug offenders, to be operated more efficiently.

The Hamkkehan Georeum Centers under the Drug Eradication Movement Headquarters provide social rehabilitation services for drug addiction, including education and counseling programs. As of the 9th of this month, centers have been established in two locations in Seoul, as well as in Incheon, Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju, Ulsan, Busan, Jeju, Gangwon (Gangneung), Gyeonggi (Suwon), Chungbuk (Cheongju), Chungnam (Cheonan), Jeonbuk (Jeonju), Jeonnam (Suncheon), Gyeongbuk (Gumi), and Gyeongnam (Changwon).

The Judicial-Treatment-Rehabilitation Linkage Model conducted at these centers is a model where experts assess the individual addiction levels of drug offenders, particularly those with suspended prosecutions, to prevent recidivism and support smooth social reintegration. Based on this assessment, they decide on treatment and provide customized social rehabilitation programs. This model operates through an intergovernmental cooperation system involving the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Since the implementation of the linkage model this year, the expert committee has been held 14 times, proposing treatment connections and social rehabilitation programs to a total of 119 drug offenders with suspended prosecutions.

Professor Lee Sang-gyu of Hallym University College of Medicine, who serves as a member of the Judicial-Treatment-Rehabilitation Linkage Model Expert Committee, stated, "It is necessary to view drug offenders not merely as criminals but as patients who require treatment and recovery rehabilitation," adding, "Going forward, this model will play an important turning point in helping addicts begin treatment and recovery rehabilitation."

Chae Gyu-han, Director of the Drug Safety Planning Division at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, said, "As the lead agency for social rehabilitation, we will strengthen interdepartmental cooperation to solidify post-management of drug addicts," and added, "We will do our best to reduce the recidivism rate of drug offenders and create a safe society free from drugs."