The Atlanta chapter of the Korean-American Women’s International Network (KOWIN) held a seminar on the 7th to prevent youth drug issues and raise awareness within the Korean community.
Ahead of the event, President Moon-hee Kim explained, “Despite the fact that drug and substance abuse has emerged as a serious social issue in the U.S., it is still perceived as a sensitive and difficult topic to discuss openly within the Korean community. We prepared this seminar for Korean parents who have difficulty accessing accurate information and prevention education.”
During the seminar, attendees had the opportunity to discuss sensitive topics with a panel of experts, including mental health nurse practitioners Vera Choi and Hee-jin Yoon, and attorney Joe-eun Seo. The panel shared practical information on where Koreans struggling with drug and substance addiction can seek help, which experts to consult, and how to specifically check health insurance coverage.
Attorney Joe-eun Seo discussed the legal limits of school disciplinary actions, the various procedures and response methods prior to meeting an attorney, and ways to reduce penalties through legal counseling.
The expert panel emphasized that prevention before a problem occurs is paramount, urging, “If a difficult situation arises, rather than relying solely on churches or people around you, do not hesitate to seek out experts in the relevant field and consult them for accurate solutions.”
President Kim shared plans to provide necessary educational opportunities in connection with experts, stating, “Moving forward, we plan to review ways to encourage practical participation, such as small-group meetings and parent-centric prevention programs.”
