The share of Korean adolescents who have used controlled substances has surpassed those who have tried smoking, as drug use to boost academic performance spreads among teenagers.
According to the National Youth Policy Institute's "Study on Youth Harmful Substance Use and Policy Measures" released Thursday, a survey of 3,384 middle and high school students nationwide found that 5.2% of respondents said they had used at least one of seven types of controlled substances — including ADHD medication, appetite suppressants, sleeping pills, tranquilizers and anti-anxiety drugs — for non-medical purposes at least once. The figure exceeds the 4.2% who reported having ever smoked.
Among the misused substances, ADHD medication stood out most prominently. Of those who had used drugs for non-medical purposes within the past six months, 24.4% reported using ADHD medication, followed by appetite suppressants (20.0%), sleeping pills (13.3%), and tranquilizers and anti-anxiety drugs (13.3%).
The misuse of ADHD medication is particularly expanding in certain school districts, where the perception of it as a "study drug" has spread. Informal transactions through social media and messaging apps have grown, leading to a rise in cases of teens obtaining and taking the medication without a prescription. The study also found that greater accessibility through non-face-to-face channels has spread the perception that the drugs are "easy to obtain."
The frequency of use was also highest for ADHD medication. Among teens who used the drug in the past six months, 23.1% said they took it "20 or more times a month," while 7.6% reported taking it "6 to 19 times." The researchers said, "The tendency to use drugs to improve concentration and academic efficiency is becoming a reality."
Emotional factors also underpinned drug use. Psychological vulnerabilities such as stress, depression and conflicts with peers were cited as major causes, with the trend more pronounced during periods of heavy academic pressure.
Caffeine dependence was also evident. Some 54.5% of respondents said they drink coffee at least once a month, with 19.9% consuming it 6 to 19 times and 5.0% consuming it 20 or more times. For high-caffeine beverages, 61.2% reported consuming them at least once a month, and 10.8% said they consumed them 10 or more times. The most cited reason for caffeine intake was "for exam preparation or assignments," at 57.8%.
The researchers said, "Concentration and alertness are operating like a 'survival strategy.'" They added, "Along with blocking online distribution, it is necessary to build an early intervention system linked to mental health and counseling, and to shift policy toward a full-cycle response spanning prevention, treatment and recovery."
