A Content Analysis of Korean Newspaper Coverages on Drug Use Among Young Adults

Background. The rising severity of global drug use among young adults, particularly evident in recent years, presents significant concerns for public health and societal well-being. In South Korea, historically perceived as a drug-free society, the emergence of drug use among young adults has prompted discussions regarding the causes, consequences, and prevention strategies of drug use among young people. This study aims to address this gap by analyzing recent news coverage from Korean newspapers focusing on this demographic. This comprehensive approach would facilitate a nuanced understanding of drug-related media portrayal, providing insights into the prevalence, patterns, and implications of drug use among Korean young adults especially in the COVID-19 pandemic context.

Methods. The study utilized the BIGKinds database to gather news articles from January 20, 2020 to September 20, 2023, focusing on drug-related issues among Korean young adults, employing keywords such as ‘drug’, ‘young adult’, and ‘university/college students.’ Following the PRISMA guidelines, 714 records were identified using targeted keywords, with 91 articles meeting inclusion criteria after screening. Subsequently, two coders conducted deductive analyses of articles based on predefined categories, including drug types, consumption methods, contributing factors, consequences, and solutions. Cohen’s Kappa coefficient indicated excellent agreement among raters (κ = .801).

Results. Among the 91 articles examined, the majority (64.8%) focused on reporting specific incidents of drug use among South Korean young adults, while 30.8% discussed evolving consumption patterns. Legislative considerations and proposed countermeasures were addressed in 20.9% of the articles. Psychotropic pharmaceuticals were the most discussed drugs (68.1%), followed by cannabis (45.1%) and narcotics (27.5%). Various modalities of drug use were elaborated upon, with 85.71% of articles discussing mechanisms and 67.0% delineating pathways leading to drug use among young adults. Causes of drug issues were mentioned in 46.2% of articles, with societal factors (83.3%) more prevalent than individual factors (50%). The harms of drug use were highlighted in 84.62% of articles, with social harms (42.9%) being the most discussed. Countermeasures detailed post-response actions in 80.2% of articles, with preventive measures outlined in 16.5%. Suggestions for interventions and policies were found in 14.3% of articles, emphasizing the expansion of treatment facilities and the strengthening of law enforcement efforts.

Conclusions and Implications. The analyzed articles highlighted evolving drug acquisition pathways, notably through social media and the dark web, aligning with national data on drug trends. Relational harms, often overlooked, including impacts on families, require attention due to their significance. Acknowledging the interplay of social determinants such as socioeconomic status, peer influences, and familial dynamics in shaping substance abuse patterns is imperative. While post-response actions were detailed, preventive measures were scant, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach in addressing drug issues. Few articles discussed solutions, indicating a need for more discussion of solutions to drug use. An interdisciplinary approach, involving social workers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and law enforcement agencies, is imperative in addressing these evolving and complex challenges among the young generation in Korea. This study broadens understanding of the current state and shifting trends of drug use among Korean youth.