08.03.2025 13:11
Drug addiction is one of the biggest sources of dependency in Turkey, just as it is around the world. The steps that need to be taken regarding drugs, which are known to have numerous harmful effects on individual and societal health, are vital for the future of Turkish society. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Necmi İlhan addressed the studies conducted in this area and highlighted the key points that should be considered.
The Ministry of Interior's General Directorate of Security's Narcotic Crimes Department TUBIM and Green Crescent Scientific Board Member Prof. Dr. Mustafa Necmi İlhan has written about the underlying causes of drug addiction and how to combat it.
Today, there are more types of drugs in the world than at any other time in history, and humanity is struggling with a very complex drug problem. There is no geography today that is unaffected by drugs. The fight against drugs is reflected in many reports every year.
DRUG USE RATE IN TURKEY IS INCREASING
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 5.6% of people worldwide and 29% in Europe report having used drugs at some point in their lives between the ages of 15-64. In Turkey, the "Attitude and Behavior Research on Tobacco, Alcohol, and Substance Use in the General Population" was conducted by the General Directorate of Security (EGM) Narcotic Crimes Department TUBIM in 2011 and 2018 among the 15-64 age group. In 2011, the rate of having used any illegal drug at least once in their lifetime was 2.7%, while in 2018 it was measured at 3.1%.
The types of drugs used vary by country, region, and continent, but cannabis and its derivatives continue to be the most commonly used substances on a global scale. For example, in Europe, the most commonly consumed substances after cannabis are cocaine and ecstasy, while in North America, opioid derivatives are prevalent, and in our country, methamphetamine is currently the most used.
MAIN FACTORS LEADING TO DRUG ADDICTION
It is not correct to say that a single concrete reason leads to drug addiction or to make generalizations. However, as proven in drug research in Turkey, the presence of someone who uses drugs among close friends or family, especially among young people, is often the main reason for starting and continuing drug use due to curiosity and the need for self-expression. Additionally, the normalization of drugs in a person's environment, frequent representation and glorification of users in their social circles, living environments, social media, and traditional media are among the most effective causes of drug use. Furthermore, living in an area with a high crime rate, not continuing education, and not working also prepares the groundwork for drug use.
FAMILY STRUCTURE, EDUCATION LEVEL, AND ECONOMIC STATUS AFFECT ADDICTION RISK
The presence of domestic violence and neglect, excessive stress, overly oppressive or indifferent families, and the absence of an individual in the family with whom young people can identify also increase the risk of addiction. Generally, socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals are at a higher risk for drug addiction, but this situation can vary by society. From an educational perspective, it can be said that less educated groups are the most at risk, and among all educational groups, university students are at a higher risk.
THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE INTERNET ON DRUG USE IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Today, drug suppliers use unimaginable methods. Sending drugs by cargo, reaching users through social media tools, promoting drug use either secretly or openly, the portrayal and sharing of drug use by characters that gain popularity in society, glorifying and romanticizing drug gangs and leaders, and much more confront us every day.
While it is possible to take precautions against all of this, the most important thing is to create resilient young people and societies who know what they do not want, understand the harms of drugs, and can say "no," which is a much more effective approach. For this, it is crucial to instill a drug-free lifestyle in society from an early age and to direct young people towards different motivational areas such as sports and mind games.
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS CAUSED BY ADDICTION AT THE SOCIETAL LEVEL
Society loses the individual who is addicted; the loss of each individual in society leads to irreplaceable problems, and the person's family, the work they produce, and society are deprived of that individual's contributions in every area. However, every individual’s contribution is needed in society. Moreover, considering that the treatment of drug addiction is not easy in the future, the health services provided to the individual and the costs of these services must be borne by the family and society. Given that comorbid diseases are also more common among drug addicts, a series of costs arise, ranging from hospital bed occupancy to chronic and increasing costs, leading to the family being in a difficult situation due to the individual's absence from production.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRIME RATES AND DRUG USE
Drug crime organizations can collaborate with each other and even with terrorist organizations everywhere in the world. Efforts are being made to combat crime and criminal groups, regardless of their nationality. Our law enforcement agencies are performing their duties in this regard more effectively than examples around the world.
In recent years, a comprehensive, planned, and coordinated drug fight involving the most extensive and combative institutions in our history has been underway. The increase in interventions against drug crimes, which can largely be revealed through law enforcement efforts, is due to the improvement in the performance, motivation, capability, and combat capacity of our units.
A significant portion of prisoners in jails worldwide are convicted of drug-related crimes. In 2022, the rate of convicts and detainees in penal institutions in Turkey for drug-related crimes was 35.4%, while this rate decreased to 33.7% in 2023. Additionally, successful supervised release practices also contribute significantly to the fight.
LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS IN TURKEY
Article 188 of the Turkish Penal Code defines the manufacture and trade of drugs or stimulants as a crime, Article 190 defines facilitating the use of drugs or stimulants as a crime, and Article 191 defines purchasing, accepting, or possessing drugs or stimulants for use, or using drugs or stimulants as a crime.
With the transition to the Presidential Government System on July 9, 2018, some changes have occurred in the structures of institutions in our country. Therefore, a new legislative regulation has been made to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of efforts to combat addiction. In this context, it was decided that the High Council for the Fight Against Addiction (BMYK) would convene under the chairmanship of the Vice President with the Presidential General Circular No. 2019/2.
A LARGE NUMBER OF INSTITUTIONS HAVE COMBINED THEIR FORCES AGAINST DRUGS
The High Council for the Fight Against Addiction has been reconstituted with the participation of the Ministers of Justice, Family, Labor and Social Services, Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Youth and Sports, Treasury and Finance, Interior, National Education, Health, Agriculture and Forestry, Trade, Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Deputy Chair of the Presidential Health and Food Policies Council.
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It has been stipulated that a Drug Addiction Combat Board can be established under the chairmanship of the Deputy Minister of Health, and provincial coordination boards can also be formed under the chairmanship of the Governor in the provinces. Additionally, it has been stated that working groups can be formed by the High Council if deemed necessary. Within this framework, the fight against drugs and stimulants in our country is carried out with a multidisciplinary approach involving 12 ministries and relevant institutions and organizations.
STRATEGIES OF SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION
For a long time, Turkey has been demonstrating success in combating supply through law enforcement agencies; the national and international capture success of the police, gendarmerie, and coast guard, as well as in prevention through the activities of the Green Crescent, especially in schools, teachers, and disadvantaged groups. In the field of medical services, the Ministry of Health's Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment and Research Centers (AMATEM) located in almost every province and the Child-Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment and Detoxification Centers (ÇAMATEM) are also cited as examples in the fight against drugs. However, there is still a long way to go in ensuring that those who are addicted and receiving treatment distance themselves from the same risky environments and gain employment.
COMPREHENSIVE FIGHT AGAINST ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES IS ESSENTIAL
In a group of countries, addicts spend the rehabilitation process in the villages they live in, which is presented as a good practice example. Another group of countries provides daily doses to drug addicts through a harm reduction approach and is also presented as a good practice example. Likewise, there are countries that limit drug use in certain areas. However, none of these practices are as successful as those of countries that adopt a drug-free lifestyle and have contributed to the increase in drug use, which can also be termed an epidemic.
Looking at the data from Turkey Drug Research in 2011 and 2018, it is observed that the use of previously addictive substances among drug users in Turkey has increased the use of drugs, with a 1.5 times increase in cigarette use and a 2.6 times increase in alcohol use prior to drug use. These rates are 16.5 times for cigarettes and 12 times for alcohol among those under 18. These results clearly highlight the importance of a comprehensive fight against addictive substances. It is evident that countries with more liberal policies regarding tobacco, alcohol, or drug use will also fail in the fight against addiction.
THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ADDICTION
The fight against addiction can be evaluated in several different dimensions, including reducing supply, reducing demand, early diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of addicts. The support of civil society organizations (CSOs) is particularly valuable in the demand reduction phase; however, considering the fact that trying drugs once can lead to addiction in nearly 70% of cases, it is crucial for CSOs and their staff to have defined competencies. Because civil society efforts carried out with good intentions but without competence can sometimes have the opposite effect, encouraging drug use.
In Turkey, 75.2% of the population defines smoking as "high risk," while 82.8% define alcohol use and 97.3% define drug use as high risk. Considering this sensitivity of society towards addictions in Turkey, the importance of the fight carried out by the Green Crescent, including against drugs, especially the impact of activities in the prevention area, is once again highlighted. The society's perspective on the issue also supports the fight.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Necmi İlhan
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