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All new conscript candidates will be required to receive drug tests starting July 10 as part of the military's effort to keep the armed forces from the growing problem of substance abuse.

The Military Manpower Administration made the announcement Monday that it will begin to conduct its mandatory drug testing program next week for six illicit substances — meth, cocaine, opium, marijuana, MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) and ketamine.

So far, the government agency has carried out tests only for those who said they had taken illegal drugs during the medical checkups required for military service.

That means the number of people who should undergo such tests will increase from around 1,000 to 260,000 every year. The agency will report those who are confirmed positive to the police for investigation.

This new testing system aims to ensure the safety of all military personnel, an official at the agency said in a press release.

Possible dangers posed by the use of psychoactive drugs could be exceptionally high when they are taken by those who have access to rifles and other lethal military weapons.

According to data, the number of drug offenses involving military personnel has been on the rise in recent years, from nine in 2020 to 32 in 2022.

In one of the latest cases, a noncommissioned officer at the Marine Corps was apprehended in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, in early June on suspicion of a drug violation. He had already been investigated for alleged methamphetamine use on multiple occasions.