Recent statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service reveal that the number of drug addiction patients in South Korea has surged by 48.7% from 557 in 2020 to 828 in 2024. This increase is most notable among younger adults, particularly those aged 20-29, whose numbers have risen dramatically by 139.1% during the same period. The reported cases include individuals diagnosed with mental and behavioral disorders related to the use of opioids, cannabinoids, cocaine, and hallucinogens, as recorded in health insurance claims.

The research indicates that men make up a larger proportion of the total drug addiction cases; however, the increase in female patients has been sharper. Specifically, male patients grew from 427 to 606 (a 41.9% increase), while female patients rose from 164 to 266 (a 62.2% increase). This highlights an emerging trend of rising female drug addiction that may require targeted public health responses and interventions.

Furthermore, it was found that the majority of individuals trying drugs for the first time begin in their 20s, with a study conducted by a team at Catholic University revealing that 58.6% of participants reported starting drug use during this decade of life. The study also cites peer influence as the primary reason for initiating drug use, with 75.9% of respondents indicating they were encouraged by others. These insights call for comprehensive preventative measures to address the rising trend of drug addiction among young adults in South Korea.