South Korea is facing an escalating crisis with drugs, with drug induced deaths jumping 179% over the recent decade. Furthermore, they face a concerning surge of misuse in stimulants and other drugs despite the government's strict “no-drug” policies and social stigma.

 

Korea’s harsh societal expectations have become a primary driver in their unique circumstances. Among youth reported to be using illegal substances, over 30% were reported to be misusing prescribed stimulants. The competitive academic scene in Korea has led to the misuse of “study drugs” in order to boost their concentration. In recent years, Korea has seen a surge, with rates nearly doubling, in the prescription for methylphenidate (meant for patients with ADHD) to teenagers. These rates have been observed to be primarily concentrated in affluent neighborhoods and academically competitive districts. 

 

However, it isn’t just Korea’s expectations towards academic performance that has led to prescription drug misuse; Korea’s cultural emphasis on body image has led to an epidemic of dietary drug misuse. The situation is so severe that nearly 60% of Korean diet pill users aren’t even obese. The toxic diet culture formed around the glamorization of being thin and the prevalence of body shaming has led to surges of eating disorders within Korea. It also means that narcotics meant to suppress ones’ appetite have become increasingly popular in Korea, notably Dietamin. Dietamin, (or as locals have named it: “Butterfly pill”), is a psychotropic narcotic that tricks the brain into feeling full. It is highly addictive and often causes severe psychological disorders as a setback, making it very dangerous and illegal to prescribe to non-obese individuals. Despite this, due to its low cost and high efficacy, the misuse of the butterfly pill has been widespread among youth, especially young women.