Recidivism rates increase in drug offenses

More than six in 10 drug offenders repeated crimes last year, police data showed Thursday, indicating that enhanced rehabilitation and treatment programs are needed to curb the high rate of recidivism.

Of 5,477 people arrested for drug crimes last year, 3,392, or 61.9 percent, were second-time offenders, according to the data submitted by the National Police Agency to Rep. Yoo Seung-woo of the ruling Saenuri Party.

The recidivism rate of drug offenders has steadily risen from 46.5 percent in 2009 to 66.1 percent as of August this year, data added.

By occupation, unemployed people topped the list of detained drug offenders at 13,662, followed by those working in the agriculture industry at 3,020 and 1,632 businessmen in the 2007-2011 period, data showed.

Noticeably, 713 housewives and 431 students were arrested for using drugs in the same period.

"The recidivism rate of drug offenders is on the rise as narcotics are highly addictive," lawmaker Yoo said in a release. "Measures should be enforced to deter repeat offenses such as tracing suppliers in areas where people can easily access drugs." (Yonhap)