South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has discovered an illicit trade of prescription ADHD medications through social media platforms. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 24 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has discovered an illicit trade of prescription ADHD medications through social media platforms, raising concerns about drug abuse among students.
In a joint operation with police conducted from July to September, the NIS identified 37 chat rooms on Telegram and X (formerly Twitter) dedicated to trading ADHD medications. Active trading was confirmed in five of these channels, the agency reported on October 23.
The investigation revealed that these prescription drugs, which are classified as controlled substances in South Korea, were being marketed as “study-enhancing pills” on various online platforms.
The majority of these illegal trading channels were established by university students aged 19 to 25. According to the NIS, the operators would obtain prescriptions for personal use and then illegally resell the medications.
In one case, an operator used both personal and borrowed identification documents to obtain prescriptions from three major hospitals.
Another dealer, based in Gyeonggi Province, demonstrated particular cunning by traveling to a clinic in Cheongju, where they had previously received prescriptions, to obtain additional medication.
The investigation was prompted by an incident last year in Seoul’s Gangnam District – where criminals were caught selling drug-laced beverages to students near private academies for blackmail purposes – which revealed connections to international drug organizations.
However, the current investigation found no evidence of international criminal networks participating in the illegal ADHD medication trade.
The NIS reported that prescriptions for ADHD medications, which are classified as controlled substances, more than doubled between 2019 and 2023.
Social media platforms have become forums for sharing prescription-obtaining methods and user reviews. The agency pledged to actively support enforcement efforts by relevant authorities.
Separately, the NIS launched a public awareness campaign titled “Let’s Create a Drug-Free Future Together” in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and the Korean Association Against Drug Abuse.
The campaign features promotional videos with popular television personalities including Kang Ho-dong, Seo Jang-hoon, and Jun Hyun-moo, who volunteered their services.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
