Nam Kyung-pil, the head of the drug prevention and healing organization "Eungoo" and former governor of Gyeonggi Province, warned about the addiction risks of treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), prompting medical associations to respond, calling it "distorted information."
The Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (KACAP) issued a statement on the 24th stating, "ADHD medication is not a 'drug' but a safe and effective therapeutic measure," and added, "Describing legitimate treatment as 'drug use' not only distorts scientific fact but may also lead to serious stigma for affected children and their families."
Earlier, on the 16th, Nam appeared on MBC "News Today" and mentioned the misuse of ADHD treatments as a background for the increasing drug use among youth. He expressed concerns that "due to a social climate prioritizing grades, there are instances where parents or private academy teachers recommend ADHD medication," adding, "This contains drug components," and "This is medication for children with very significantly reduced attention spans and should be prescribed very restrictively, but it is being abused."
He cited the example of a celebrity who was released after drug use and is currently in rehabilitation, saying, "They mentioned that they became addicted to ADHD medication and eventually moved on to methamphetamine," and added, "However, parents are currently recommending ADHD medication to children."
In response to this, the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (KACAP) stated, "Such comments create a clear misunderstanding about ADHD treatments and are causing serious anxiety for treated children and their families," adding, "We express deep regret regarding the claims made without scientific basis."
The medical association expressed concern that, "Especially for children who have received appropriate diagnoses and treatments, repeated reports like this can lead to misunderstandings such as 'I am taking drugs', potentially experiencing decreased self-esteem, withdrawal, and alienation or stigma in peer relationships." It continued, "This infringes upon the right to receive treatment and is an issue that cannot be taken lightly as it may worsen the long-term prognosis for children with ADHD."
The medical association emphasized that drug treatment for ADHD is an effective and safe method that does not lead to addiction.
The medical association noted, "Untreated ADHD is linked to various social expenses, including school dropout during adolescence, substance abuse, and increased risk of impulsive criminal behavior," and added, "Research has reported numerous findings that the group receiving drug treatment has a lower likelihood of future substance abuse and legal issues compared to those who do not."
The medical association emphasized that ADHD treatments used both domestically and internationally (such as methylphenidate and atomoxetine) are pharmaceuticals approved by reputable organizations such as the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with proven safety and efficacy.
The Korean Association of Psychiatrists (KAP) also issued a statement saying, "Research has emerged over a long period indicating that ADHD treatments are not 'gateway drugs,'" and added, "The risk lies not with the medication but with 'untreated ADHD' itself."