Attempted suicide prevalent among Korean drug addicts

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by Change | 6 Apr 2010

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A new study has revealed the extent of attempted suicides among Korean drug addicts.

Approximately one in five people in need of drug addiction support in Korea have attempted suicide, new figures have revealed.

According to the country's Ministry for Health and Welfare, many individuals struggling to cope with a drug addiction take extreme measures because they are also suffering from smoking and drinking problems, The Korea Times reports.

Some 523 people were surveyed by the Catholic University of Medicine's Professor Kim Dae-jin, most of whom were aged over 30. 86 were found to be receiving special treatment, while 271 were incarcerated.

Almost three quarters (74.5 per cent) drank alcohol regularly, with this becoming an issue for many. The overwhelming majority (89.5 per cent) smoked, 65 per cent of whom admitting that this had become a problem.

Professor Kim told the newspaper that the results indicate that a "comprehensive approach" is needed in Korea in order to combat its drug addiction problem.

The ministry is intending to initiate an online anti-drug campaign, while it is also planning to visit locations frequented by individuals in need of drug addiction intervention.

In 2007, military officials in South Korea confirmed instances of drug abuse were on the rise at army bases in the country, Military.com reported.

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