| Public Perception Towards Drug Abuse in South Korea: The Effects of Overconfidence and Affirmation |
Ki Won Jang1 
, Jiheon Kim1,2
, Han Wool Jung1
, Sang-Kyu Lee1,2
, Byung Joo Park3
, Hoon-Chul Kang4
, Chan-Hyung Kim5
, Hae Kook Lee6
, Daeyoung Roh1,2
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1Mind-Neuromodulation Laboratory, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
2Department of Psychiatry, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
3Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
4Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children’s Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
5Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Behavioural Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
6Department of Psychiatry, The Catholic University of Korea Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital, Uijeongbu, Republic of Korea |
Correspondence: Hae Kook Lee ,Tel: +82-31-820-3050, Fax: +82-2-532-3820, Email: nplhk@catholic.ac.kr
Correspondence: Daeyoung Roh ,Tel: +82-33-240-5174, Fax: +82-33-255-6244, Email: nplhk@catholic.ac.kr
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Received: September 21, 2023 Revised: January 24, 2024 Accepted: May 16, 2024 Published online: July 24, 2024 |
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| Abstract |
Objective
The abuse of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines has been a major issue addressed as a serious public health problem worldwide. This study explored factors contributing to substance abuse in Korea by examining the status of substance abuse among Korean adults and evaluating their knowledge, attitudes, and intentions toward substance abuse.
Methods
Data were collected online from a sample of participants 19 years old or older from May 20 to June 1, 2020 (n=1,020). The survey consisted of questions on demographics, perceptions of drug risk, motives for drug use, and attitudes toward drug addiction treatment. Principal component and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to explore the factors contributing to the perception of drug abuse.
Results
In the multivariate regression analysis, overconfidence in handling drug usage, acceptance of addictive substances, and affirmation of public support for drug abuse were associated with opioid abuse (Nagelkerke R2=0.486), and additionally affirmation of legal cannabis usage and motivation to use diet pills were associated with diet pill abuse (Nagelkerke R2=0.569).
Conclusion
The findings of this study suggest that the actual situation of substance abuse among Korean adults increases awareness of and attitudes toward drug use related to substance abuse. |
| Key words
Drug abuse; Drug addiction; Substance abuse; Prescription drug abuse; Perception |
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