Committee Meeting on the Fight Against Addiction Studies was held
Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör and Üsküdar University Vice Rector Prof. Sevil Atasoy, who is known for her work in the field of forensic sciences in Türkiye and in the world, held the “Committee Meeting on the Fight Against Addiction Studies”. In the meeting where the issue of combating addiction was discussed at length, Güngör drew attention to the importance of awareness. Prof. Sevil Atasoy mentioned that an organization is needed to carry out the fight and underlined the need to raise awareness collectively. Emphasizing that the drug problem is increasing, Atasoy mentioned that this increase brings deaths. In this context, the measures that can be taken to combat addiction were discussed at the meeting.
Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör, Üsküdar University Vice Rector Prof. Sevil Atasoy, Secretary General Selçuk Uysaler, department heads and unit managers attended the meeting held in Üsküdar University Senate Hall.
Prof. Nazife Güngör: “We must raise awareness in the fight against addiction”
Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör touched upon the important work that can be done in the fight against addiction and emphasized the importance of raising awareness. Güngör stated that “We need to raise awareness in the fight against addiction. Carrying out studies on combating addiction would be very useful in terms of raising awareness and raising awareness. In this context, studies on the fight against addiction can be carried out.”
Prof. Sevil Atasoy: “We see an unexpected increase in the last 5 years”
Emphasizing that the drug problem is increasing gradually, Üsküdar University Vice Rector Prof. Sevil Atasoy mentioned that this increase also brings deaths. Atasoy stated that “Drugs have become a very important problem in our country, and it is increasing gradually. We see an unexpected increase in the last 5 years. There is also an increase in the number of substance addicts applying to hospitals for treatment. It is on a rapid rise. In the reports from the Institute of Forensic Medicine, it is observed that there is a very serious increase in the number of drug-related deaths.”
“Substance abuse is recognized as a public health issue”
Prof. Sevil Atasoy stated that there are three steps in the fight against drugs and made the following remarks: “It is accepted all over the world that substance addiction is a treatable brain disease. In fact, the whole point is that people should never get sick and never die. In other words, they should not use drugs, and they should not endanger their lives by being addicted to drugs. Therefore, the fight against drugs has a certain principle. It is considered a public health issue and a three-step strategy is carried out as if it were a fight against malaria. The first step is not to use it at all. In other words, there should be no consumption of tobacco, alcohol, drugs or marijuana. This includes green and red prescriptions. Thus, we are not just talking about heroin, cocaine, or morphine; however, we are also talking about drug abuse. Our job is primary care. In other words, we are fighting against the first-line substance.”
“People use it when they are happy or sad”
Speaking about the causes of substance abuse, Atasoy stated that “Firstly, we have to know the causes of substance abuse. These reasons are not being able to cope with problems, not being able to solve problems, having anxieties, poor school grades, and lack of healthy life skills. This is because they do not know positive psychology. In other words, it is a situation that stems from the fact that people do not have the ability to feel good about themselves and to solve their own problems. People use it when they are happy and when they are sad. I mean, they always find a reason. The whole point is to give oneself the knowledge and skills to fight this...”
“Everyone needs to be aware”
Drawing attention to the importance of awareness in the fight against addiction, Atasoy stated that “We need an organization to carry out the fight against addiction because this is a total issue. Everyone needs to be aware and equipped to recognize that someone has a problem when they see them. I mean, not necessarily the one whose pupils are big or whose hand is shaking or whose face is red, not necessarily the one who has reached that point. It is necessary to see the one who is sad in their own way, the one who stands aside, the one who keeps to themselves. It is necessary to create a collective awareness.”
At the meeting where the processes at the university were evaluated, it was emphasized that the work in this field will continue to increase with a sense of cooperation and solidarity.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)