New Narcotics Threaten Public Health as Synthetic Drug Use Soars (Image supported by ChatGPT)
SEOUL, May 26 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea is facing a rapid rise in the prevalence of synthetic drugs, with new narcotics such as synthetic cannabis and ketamine accounting for nearly 35% of all confiscated substances in 2024, up nearly fourfold from 9.7% in 2019, according to a new government report.
The National Forensic Service (NFS), under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, released its 2024 White Paper on Narcotics Analysis on Sunday, offering a comprehensive review of the shifting drug landscape based on substances seized by the Seoul Institute of Forensic Science.
Synthetic cannabis topped the list of new drug detections at 15.2%, followed by ketamine (10.1%), MDMA (4.2%), semi-synthetic cannabis (3.0%), and cocaine (1.6%). In contrast, more traditional substances such as methamphetamine, poppy derivatives, and natural cannabis declined.
Methamphetamine’s share dipped slightly from 50.9% to 47.7%, poppy-based drugs fell from 8.7% to 2.1%, and cannabis dropped from 21.4% to 12.1% over the same period.
Authorities attributed the surge in synthetic cannabis to its compatibility with e-cigarette devices, noting a shift from traditional smoking to so-called “black liquid” vaping products. “The accessibility of electronic cigarettes appears to be fueling growth in the synthetic cannabis market,” the NFS said.
Seized synthetic cannabis by police (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Following high-profile drug incidents such as the 2019 Burning Sun scandal and nationwide crackdowns since 2022, the number of drug analysis cases submitted to the NFS has surpassed 120,000 for two consecutive years. In 2024, the total reached 120,703, nearly doubling from 63,000 cases in 2019.
While urine and hair sample tests declined slightly last year, forensic analysis of seized materials—including syringes and powders—increased, suggesting a strategic shift in enforcement from end users to traffickers and distributors.
The report also raised red flags about rising abuse of synthetic cannabis vaping products among teenagers and a growing trend of polydrug use among individuals in their 20s and 30s. The NFS called for urgent public health measures focused on prevention and rehabilitation targeting these age groups.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
