Teenagers Using Drugs Linked to ‘Diet Pills’

Recently, there has been a sharp increase in the number of teenagers using drugs.

The Incheon District Prosecutor’s Office announced on the 15th that the number of drug offenders under the age of 19 caught in Incheon has skyrocketed from 72 in 2022 to 329 in 2023, more than quadrupling. This accounts for 11.8% of the total 2,785 drug offenders caught in Incheon.

Some believe the recent surge in teenage drug offenses is due to a diet pill called “Dietamine,” also known as “Butterfly Drug.” Dietamine, a psychotropic drug that suppresses appetite, is known to be effective for dieting and is becoming popular among teenagers.

Last year, the number of teenagers caught trading Dietamine through social media reached 251. Teenagers, sensitive to their appearance and the judgment of others, have become addicted after buying the diet pills out of curiosity.

In response to the growing severity of teenage drug issues, the Incheon District Prosecutor’s Office operates a drug prevention education program and a customized treatment program for teenage drug offenders. It is based on the belief that a thorough investigation of teenage drug offenses and proactive treatment programs should go hand in hand. A prime example is the one-year program that has been run since July last year with the Incheon Love Hospital, a treatment and protection institution for drug addicts.

Moreover, teenage drug offenders who have received a conditional suspension of prosecution on the condition of treatment, are conducting psychological therapy and consulting with a psychiatrist every week.

The Incheon District Prosecutor’s Office emphasized, “We will continue to thoroughly investigate drug crimes and focus on treatment and prevention activities to prevent the future generation of teenagers from falling into the swamp of drugs.”

By. Sharon Lee