Objectives: Drug abuse and substance use disorder have become a pressing public health crisis. Recent trends show a rise in non-typical user groups and prescription drug misuse, highlighting the need for preventive education and awareness. This cross-sectional survey study explored the perceptions and attitudes about drug and substance abuse among adults in Jeju. Methods: Data were obtained from 500 adults living in Jeju, Korea. The participants were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire that evaluated perceptions and attitudes toward drug abuse across three domains: risk perception, attitudinal agreement, and behavioral intention.Awareness of specific drugs was also measured from dichotomous (yeso) responses. The associations between the three domains and sociodemographic variables were analyzed using a Pearson’s chi-square test. Results: Approximately 54.2% of participants have perceived the risks associated with drug use problems, and 60.2% agreed with the importance of preventive education. In behavioral intention, 62.2% indicated a willingness to seek help in case of addiction, and 57.2% were willing to share preventive information with others. Significant differences in risk perceptions and attitudes based on gender, age, and education levels were noted. Conclusion The findings underscore the need for targeted prevention strategies based on an individual’s sociodemographic factors and educational campaigns that address lesser-known prescription drugs. Future studies should explore mediating factors between awareness and behavior, incorporating objective assessment tools to enhance reliability.