Seo-gu Council Member Choi Jeongae Calls for System to Address Adolescent Substance Misuse and Gambling

Survey on substance misuse and gambling to include out-of-school youth
Five measures proposed, including formation of a local community council

The Seo-gu Council in Jeonnam-Gwangju has proposed conducting a survey on substance misuse and gambling among adolescents, including out-of-school youth, and establishing a local council involving the education office, police, medical institutions and others.

Choi Jeongae, a Seo-gu council member representing Hwa-jeong 3·4-dong and Pungam-dong, called for a comprehensive response system linking prevention and treatment for various addiction issues, including adolescent substance use and gambling, during a five-minute address at the first plenary session of the 344th extraordinary session on October 16.

Choi Jeongae, Seo-gu council member in Jeonnam-Gwangju

As response measures, she proposed conducting a survey that includes out-of-school youth; forming a local community council involving the education office, police, pharmacists' association, youth facilities and medical institutions; strengthening prevention efforts related to substance misuse and gambling environments; expanding prevention education and outreach through libraries and youth facilities; and establishing a professional system to support prevention and treatment.

Regarding substance misuse, Choi said, "Last year, 5.2% of middle and high school students nationwide had used at least one type of prescription narcotic for nonmedical purposes." On gambling, she argued that it was necessary to examine both the reasons adolescents continue gambling, such as fun and peer relationships, and their perceptions of it.

"Protecting adolescents requires the attention and cooperation of local community members," Choi said, emphasizing that "we need a response that connects everything from prevention education to professional treatment support."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.