[INTERVIEW] 'Drug addicts in Korean society need proper cure'

Lim Sang-hyeon, the chief of the Gyeonggi Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Center (DARC), attends policy discussion for research on drug addiction treatment at the National Assembly in Seoul, March 16. Courtesy of Lim Sang-hyeon

By Jung Da-hyun

Drug addicts in Korean society require a proper "cure" to prevent them from repeated use of banned substances, according to Lim Sang-hyeon, the chief of the Gyeonggi Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Center (DARC).

Lim, as a former drug user himself, believes that the key to overcoming drug addiction lies in teaching addicts the necessary measures to help them break free from drugs, which could also decrease the rates of crimes related to drugs.

Lim struggled with drug addiction for approximately 30 years before finally overcoming it. During those three decades, he was convicted on nine occasions for using illegal drugs. Even during his time as a therapist at the Korean Association Against Drug Abuse (KAADA), where he helped individuals recover from drug use disorders from 2003 to 2006, he relapsed due to the stress of poverty.

"I spent around 30 years addicted to drugs, but I always yearned to break free from their grip. Unfortunately, I didn't know how," Lim said.

Lim Sang-hyeon, the chief of the Gyeonggi Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Center (DARC) / Courtesy of Lim Sang-hyeon

His personal experience highlights the need for a comprehensive approach that equips drug addicts with the knowledge and tools to overcome their addiction permanently.

Lim was 17 when he first encountered drugs. He lived near a U.S. Army base in Samgakji, Seoul, where his friends purchased pills from a nearby shop. Intrigued, he decided to try a drug called Seconal, a highly addictive barbiturate, unaware of the decades-long struggle that awaited him.

His first arrest for drug use took place in 1977. Lim recalls being subject to brutal treatment, including having his wrists and ankles shackled. Officials from the Ministry of Health, which at the time had the direct authority to arrest and punish drug addicts, inflicted various forms of torture including waterboarding on those they held into custody, according to Lim. At that time, the authorities focused on violently punishing offenders, assuming that fear would deter further drug use.

When Lim was arrested for the third time, the responsibility of handling those accused of drug-related crimes had been transferred to the police and the prosecution, under whom physical abuse was no longer employed. Ironically, prison provides an opportunity for drug addicts to exchange useful information, according to Lim.

"While doing time, drug users discuss drugs extensively. What else would they talk about?" he said. "Despite being jailed for drug use, they still experience unresolved emotions and cravings for drugs."

Within prison walls, individuals exchange information on sources where they can obtain drugs at lower prices. Upon release, armed with the knowledge acquired behind bars, they use various channels to get drugs, according to Lim.

This is why Lim emphasizes the importance of establishing a system focused on addiction treatment rather than punishment. He believes that a balance between punishment and rehabilitation can lead to a decrease in drug-related crimes.

Lim once believed that overcoming drug addiction was impossible and faced feelings of hopelessness. In 1999, he was sent to the Gongju Institute of Forensic Psychiatry in Gongju, South Chuncheong Province, an institution where those who committed crimes due to mental illness or drug-related problems are sent rather than serving time in prison.

It was where he encountered Cho Seung-nam, a compassionate physician responsible for aiding Lim in his battle against addiction, who showed hope for recovery.

After his seventh confinement in the institute, he had a chance to meet a group from Japan who were in the process of conquering their addiction. The group of people was associated with DARC in Japan, which was founded in Tokyo in July 1985 and now operates 90 centers across the country, housing approximately 2,000 drug addicts in total and helping their recovery.

Drug addicts participate in an addiction recovery session at Gyeonggi DARC in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. Courtesy of Lim Sang-hyeon

Lim kept interacting with some of these individuals from DARC in Japan and brought the system to Korea, opening DARC in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province in 2019. Currently, there are four DARC centers in Korea including the Gyeonggi DARC, which specializes in drug addiction rehabilitation.

Lim's personal experience with drug addiction and his time as a therapist at KAADA enabled him to actively help drug addicts in need of a cure. He highlights a significant difference between DARC's "cure" system and the treatment provided by hospitals. At DARC, individuals reside in the center around the clock and follow a structured daily routine designed to facilitate their recovery.

"Empathy is crucial. Drawing from my own experiences, I strive to provide both physical and mental support," he said. The DARC facility in Namyangju houses 13 drug addicts living together as part of their recovery from addiction.

Lim calls for cooperation between KAADA, designated hospitals dealing with drug addiction and rehabilitation centers like DARC, to effectively address Korea's drug issue.

"There are only a few such centers and available resources are limited," he said. "I hope the government pays more attention to this problem."