Korean J Clin Pharm.  2024 Dec;34(4):222-231. 10.24304/kjcp.2024.34.4.222.

Proposal for the Activation of Drug Rehabilitation Centers

• Nam Ka
• Park SK

• KMID: 2564377
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.24304/kjcp.2024.34.4.222

Abstract

Background
The drug addiction crisis in South Korea highlights the need to activate the Korea Association Against Drug Abuse’s (KAADA) rehabilitation centers. This study proposes strategies to activate drug rehabilitation centers by analyzing factors affecting participation intention. Method: We analyzed questionnaire responses from participants (n=540) in Incheon KAADA’s deferred prosecution and probation programs. Descriptive statistics covered treatment-experience, mental health, and social support by drug type. A multivariable logistic analysis was conducted to analyze the association between the characteristics of drug offenders and their intention to use rehabilitation centers.
Results
Among the participants, most drug abusers mainly used stimulants (59.8%), followed by cannabis (27.7%), opioids and sedatives (6.8%), and other substances (5.8%). Stimulant users (odds ratio [OR] 2.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-3.83), treatment-experienced (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.08-2.92), poor mental health (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.28-3.60), and poor social support (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.07-2.83) were significantly associated with the intention to use rehabilitation centers. In drug-specific subgroup analysis, cannabis users showed a lack of clear motivation for utilizing rehabilitation centers. Additionally, in the sex-based subgroup analysis, intent to use rehabilitation centers increased with age among men, whereas women under 30 displayed the highest intent.
Conclusion
The study suggests enhancing rehabilitation centers by strengthening personalized programs for those with poor social support and creating flexible online programs for can-nabis users. Additionally, incorporating pharmacist interventions during medical shopping or polypharmacy scenarios could be beneficial.

Keyword

Drug offender; Korea association against drug abuse; logistic regression analysis; rehabilitation center