The 2009 death of pop legend Michael Jackson brought propofol, the anesthetic that killed him, to the world’s attention.

Before the tragic incident, people knew little about the drug and how dangerous it could be when administered for non-medical purposes and by unqualified personnel.

Korea is no longer safe from the threat of propofol too, as a series of the drug abuse cases involving the anesthesia drug have been reported.

Propofol has been classified as a psychotropic drug since last year in Korea as an increasing number of people have become addicted to it. Administration of propofol is known as a “milk injection” because the drug resembles milk.

The excessive use of the drug has killed a total of 44 people since 2000 in Korea and the number of people addicted to the drug is rapidly increasing. Among the addicts, there are some celebrities and even medical doctors, according to reports and the police.

Recently, a gynecologist at a hospital in Gangnam, southern Seoul, was arrested for abandoning a woman who died of a propofol overdose that he gave her. Last month, a dermatologist in her 40s was also found dead at her residence after she injected herself with propofol to relieve stress and fatigue. A TV celebrity was arrested for illegal use of propofol and is currently on trial.

Reports say there are more celebrities currently under investigation for use of the drug.

Illegal distribution of the drug is rampant. The prosecution has recently arrested a nurse, known as “needle lady” who injected propofol into her customers at motels and apartments in Gangnam. Most of her customers were hostesses at business clubs or so-called “room salons” nearby. The nurse received 100,000-200,000 per injection, according to investigators.

The reason why an increasing number of people are attracted to propofol is that it gives a rapid feeling of relaxation, reduction of tension and euphoria.

“It is a fast-onset, short-acting sedative-hypnotic agent that makes patients feel that they had a deep and pleasurable sleep. Because of these advantages, hospitals prefer to use propofol instead of midazoram, another type of anesthetic,” said Hong Ki-hyuk, president of the Korean Society of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine.

Propofol is also cheaper than similar drugs, costing around 10,000 won for 20 liters, he said.

The drug is widely used for surgical procedures as well as outpatient colonoscopies, meaning that it is used in many hospitals and can be prescribed by any doctor.

But some doctors are ignoring the side effects and trying to make money off patients who fake disorders to get another shot. There are more than 400 hospitals across the country that have doubled the purchase of psychotropic drugs, officials said.

Misuse of the drug is rising also because the government does not have strong monitoring regulations on propofol and other drugs and paid little attention to its risks. The drug could depress one’s respiratory and cardiac function.

Hong argued that the government should not let just any doctor prescribe the drug and allow only those who are qualified to deal with any potential medical accident.

“It is an extremely powerful drug that should be administered only by qualified medical personnel. Propofol should be prescribed and injected by anesthesiologists and those who are highly experienced in conducting CPR on patients if their hearts stop beating,” he said.

Unlike narcotics, propofol has no specific physical withdrawal symptoms, but there are emotional symptoms, said Cho Sung-nam, professor in department of addiction, rehabilitation and social welfare at Eulji Medical Center.

“Propofol-addicts begin to feel depressed, lonely and bored once they stay away from the drug for a while. We used to have narcotic addicts involuntarily enrolled in rehabilitation centers but the number of psychotropic drug addicts are also increasing,” he said.

Korea has long been considered a safe zone from drugs. But recent data shows the country needs to take action to block the drug trade.

Since 1999, the number of drug users arrested by law enforcement has exceeded 20 per 100,000 people.

“The index show Korea has become a nation that needs to restrict the illegal use and trade of drugs. Thanks to transnational Internet networks, the illegal distribution of drugs will rapidly grow in the future,“ Cho said.

”The government needs to block the routes and also invest in rehabilitation centers around the country to better deal with the growing number of drug addicts,” he added.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)