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Busan Becomes the First Local Government to Provide Drug Crime Prevention Education for Youths – Taking the Lead in Protecting Future Generations!

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it conducted the "Youth Drug Crime Prevention Education" program yesterday (July 15) at 2:00 p.m. in the Grand Conference Room of City Hall, targeting approximately 150 young people. The initiative was the first of its kind among local governments and was held in collaboration with the Busan Economic Promotion Agency (President Song Bok-chul) and the Korea Association Against Drug Abuse.

This program was designed to raise awareness about the increasing drug-related crimes among youths—who often experience anxiety about their uncertain future—by educating them on the dangers of drug use and equipping them with strategies to resist temptation.

The program, led by the city department responsible for youth policy, was structured not as a traditional lecture but as a practical and supportive educational experience, adding to its significance.

The City aimed to help young people develop a clear understanding of the risks of drug use and build the judgment and resilience needed to resist temptation. The training focused on real-life cases and was designed to be relatable and easy to understand. The session was led by Kang Jeong-ho, a specialist instructor on drug-related crimes affiliated with the Ministry of Justice and the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education.

Before the lecture began, the “Youth Community Diorak” delivered a drug prevention performance, vividly conveying the dangers and consequences of drug use through powerful messages and engaging performances that captivated the audience.

The lecture was conducted in two parts.

• ●Part 1 covered “Definitions and types of drugs, key case examples, legal penalties, and coping strategies,” providing participants with foundational knowledge.

• ●Part 2 featured a “Virtual Reality (VR) Experience,” simulating the dangers and severe aftereffects of drug addiction in a lifelike and immersive format, which helped participants perceive the risks more realistically.

Youth participants responded with strong interest, stating, “I used to think drugs were irrelevant to me, but my perspective changed completely after the lecture,” and “I was once tempted with drugs while working a part-time job—today’s session gave me valuable coping strategies.”

Meanwhile, the spread of drug distribution through digital platforms such as social networking services (SNS), the dark web, and delivery apps has made drugs more accessible, infiltrating everyday life and no longer confined to specific groups or locations.

According to the “2023 White Paper on Drug Crimes” published by the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office (June 2024), the number of drug offenders in their 20s and 30s nearly doubled over the past five years—from 7,647 in 2019 to 15,051 in 2023.

Kim Gwi-ok, Director General of Youth-Industry-Academia Cooperation at Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “While drug use may begin from simple curiosity, a single choice can bring devastating consequences to one’s life,” adding, “We will continue to implement recurring and effective preventive education to help young people resist the lure of drugs.”