A total of 8,986 people allegedly violated the Stimulants Control Law in the first half of this year, down 632 from the same period last year, according to a recent police survey.

However, authorities believe drug abuse is on the increase, with people escaping detection due to more sophisticated drug-smuggling and possession techniques.

According to the National Police Agency survey, the amount of amphetamines seized by police in the January-June period fell by 236 kg to 335.7 kg, while the number of people arrested on suspicion of drug use dropped 531 to 9,766. Of these, 92 percent allegedly used stimulants.