Nam Tae-hyun appeared as a testifier during a parliamentary audit session and emphasized the need for drug rehabilitation policy support
On October 12, Nam Tae-hyun attended a parliamentary audit at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, as a witness. He answered questions related to drug rehabilitation policies and treatments. Nam Tae-hyun is currently living at a facility called Incheon DARC and attending drug treatment at Incheon Chamsarang Hospital.
During the session, lawmaker Kang Seon-woo, from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out that despite President Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of a “war on drugs” in April 2022, the budget for treatment and protection of drug addicts under the Ministry of Health and Welfare for next year was frozen. He emphasized the need for a balance between punishment, treatment and rehabilitation, as drug-related crimes often have a high recidivism rate.
Nam Tae-hyun recalled his past drug use experience, stating, “I suffered from severe depression and started taking psychiatric drugs. I became increasingly dependent on central nervous system drugs because of the immediate effects they provided. When my depression worsened and I felt like I had hit rock bottom, I turned to marijuana, and later, even methamphetamine.”
He also discussed the difficulties he faced while attempting to recover from drug addiction and the lack of government support for private rehabilitation facilities. Nam Tae-hyun mentioned that the number of drug addicts has been increasing significantly and that government support is insufficient. He explained that drug addicts need 24-hour supervision and strict self-control, which is challenging for privately operated facilities (often run on a volunteer basis).
He appealed for more government support and said, “I’ve heard there are around 20,000 drug offenders, and if you include petty crimes related to drugs, it would be a much larger number. But despite that, there are fewer than 20 people staying (in my drug rehabilitation facility). Calls for help come to the facility every day, but there’s no space available. The reality we face daily is so severe that I earnestly request government support.”
Additionally, Nam Tae-hyun raised concerns about the easy availability of psychotropic medications and the risks they pose. He called for stricter regulation of prescription drugs, saying that they should not be prescribed without careful consideration. He also pointed out that disposable syringes are readily available at pharmacies, which should be better regulated to reduce drug-related problems.
Nam Tae-hyun concluded by highlighting the importance of the community’s support system and the need for closer examination and emphasis on facilities that provide immersive rehabilitation. He mentioned the success stories of rehabilitation facilities abroad and urged greater focus on these community-based rehabilitation facilities. He stressed that addiction cannot be overcome alone and encouraged those in need to seek help.
Source: Daum
