Police: "Leniency for Teens Who Self-Report Gambling or Drug Use"... Treatment Referrals Also Available

Voluntary reporting period to run for one month starting November 16
Program expanded from cyber gambling to include drug crimes
Reports accepted through 117; counseling and treatment referrals provided

Teenagers involved in cyber gambling or drug crimes who report their offenses during the special voluntary reporting period may receive lenient treatment, depending on the circumstances. They may also receive support for addiction treatment through referrals to specialized institutions.

The National Police Agency announced on November 2 that it will run a one-month "Voluntary Reporting Period for Youth Addiction-Related Crimes" from November 16 to December 15. The key change is that the reporting program, previously limited to cyber gambling, has been expanded to include drug crimes.

According to police, a total of 1,777 people came forward during the voluntary reporting period for youth cyber gambling, which was run jointly by relevant government agencies from May 18 to August 31. Police referred them to treatment programs at specialized institutions and focused on guidance aimed at recovery rather than punishment.

This time, the scope of the program has been expanded in response to the spread of drug crimes among teenagers. Police believe that various types of drugs, including cold medicines, diet pills, and drugs that enhance concentration, have recently become more widespread among teenagers. Although police have previously excluded drug crimes from their guidance program, they now consider early intervention and treatment more necessary than punishment in minor cases.

Those eligible to report are people under the age of 19 who have tried cyber gambling or drugs, as well as their guardians. Reports should generally be filed through the 117 School Violence Reporting Center. Once a report is received, a school police officer, investigator, or professional counselor will conduct a consultation and assessment. School police officers will handle interviews about cyber gambling, while investigators will interview those involved in drug cases. They will then be referred to addiction treatment programs run by specialized institutions, including the Korea Center on Gambling Problems and the Korea Association Against Drug Abuse, or by the psychiatry departments of university hospitals.

Police plan to determine the level of disciplinary action by considering the seriousness of the offense, the individual's attitude toward reflecting on their actions, and their progress in treatment. After review by a guidance review committee that includes outside experts at each police station, police intend to show as much leniency as possible, including issuing a warning or seeking summary judgment.

Even after a case is processed, school police officers and professional counselors will provide counseling and monitoring for three months. Police plan to use this follow-up to identify warning signs before teenagers develop addictions and prevent repeat offenses.

Acting National Police Agency Commissioner Kim Jongcheol said, "The most important purpose of the voluntary reporting program is to identify teenagers at risk of becoming addicted to gambling or drugs at an early stage and provide treatment to break the vicious cycle." He added, "We will work to help teenagers grow into healthy members of society through this voluntary reporting period for addiction-related crimes."

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