20% of Drug Addicts Have Suicidal Urges

By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

About one in five drug addicts have attempted suicide in the past as a side effect of narcotics usage, the Ministry for Health and Welfare said Monday.

The majority of them also have drinking and smoking issues, too, which could trigger extreme choices, the authorities said, announcing the result of its first-ever domestic drug user life pattern research.

Professor Kim Dae-jin of the Catholic University of Medicine surveyed 523 people who have used illegal drugs, of whom 86 were receiving special treatment and 271 were incarcerated.

Kim found that most of them were over 30, and had finished high school if not further education too.

About 74.5 percent said they drank alcohol on a regular basis and about 64.5 percent said their drinking has now become an issue. About 89.5 percent said they smoked, of which 65 percent said they were unable to control this anymore.

In terms of substances they used, the lion's share went to methamphetamine, commonly known as philopon here, followed by marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin.

Drug addiction was seen to have been initiated from peer pressure since 95 percent said other drug addicts were close to them. Over half of them said they actually obtained the drugs from people around them.

Most said curiosity led them to try drugs ― but soon, they grew to enjoy the narcotics on a regular basis to get rid of stress or physical pain, or seeking extreme sexual pleasure.

However, they suffered from extreme stress and mental side-effects such as depression and anxiety, which often triggered suicidal urges. Nearly 90 percent wanted to get clean, but half said they had no access to professional help.

"The study shows that we need a comprehensive approach to counter drug problems here, along with smoking, drinking and family matters ― only 32.9 percent were married, while the rest were single or separated," Kim said.

The ministry is planning to hold an anti-drug campaign on the Internet and other places visited by drug addicts.

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