9,000 Pharmacy Bags with Prevention Messages
Distributed to 1,100 Pharmacies in North Gyeongsang
A community-based public awareness campaign aimed at simultaneously preventing drug addiction and new types of fraud crimes is being launched in the North Gyeongsang region.
On August 4, the North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency announced that, in collaboration with the North Gyeongsang Pharmaceutical Association and the North Gyeongsang branch of the Korea Association Against Drug Abuse, it has jointly produced 90,000 pharmacy bags containing messages on "prevention of drug addiction" and "protection against no-show fraud." These bags will be distributed to approximately 1,100 pharmacies across the province.
This marks the second joint campaign by the three organizations, following last year's initiative, to prevent crimes in everyday life using pharmacies as key locations.
The pharmacy bags being distributed feature warning messages against drug addiction on the front, and on the back, they provide detailed information about the rapidly increasing no-show fraud schemes and specific prevention guidelines.
In particular, the bags outline practical tips, such as ▲ being cautious of requests for advance payment or deposits, and ▲ directly calling reservation agencies to confirm bookings, encouraging residents to take preventive actions in their daily lives.
This campaign is noteworthy because it goes beyond simply delivering information; it expands pharmacies?spaces most frequently visited by residents?into platforms for preventive education. The North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency emphasized, "Utilizing everyday spaces for preemptive prevention is highly effective in reducing blind spots for crime."
Ko Youngil, president of the North Gyeongsang Pharmaceutical Association, stated, "Protecting the health of residents is a pharmacist's duty, and ensuring their safety from crime is an equally important value. We will continue to build a prevention-focused safety net through close cooperation with the local community."
Son Guiok, head of the North Gyeongsang branch of the Korea Association Against Drug Abuse, said, "Drugs are a social threat that infiltrates all generations and regions. Repeated exposure through familiar media such as pharmacy bags plays a significant role in prevention. We hope this campaign serves as a valuable opportunity for residents to reaffirm the importance of eradicating drug abuse."
Oh Bumyeong, chief of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency, stressed, "New types of fraud crimes, such as no-show scams, are malicious crimes that disrupt the ordinary lives of residents. The police will firmly safeguard the order of the local economy through strong crackdowns as well as proactive public awareness and prevention activities tailored to residents' perspectives."
Meanwhile, the North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency is focusing its efforts on public safety by operating dedicated teams to respond to digital-based fraud crimes such as phishing and smishing, and by preparing support measures for victims' recovery.
Two Warnings Contained in a Medicine Bag: Gyeongbuk Province Simultaneously Tackles Drugs, No-Show, and Fraud
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