The Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education organized a training seminar on effective combat against addiction. Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, Vice Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Director of the Institute of Addiction and Forensic Sciences, met with educators in two different sessions titled “I Am Not Addicted, I Am Free,” and made important evaluations.
“If the disease is named, treatment will be easier”
Atasoy stated that in order to combat something, one must first have knowledge about it, saying, “If the disease is named, treatment will be easier. It is a very rapidly changing sector. Therefore, information regarding the fight against drugs must also be up-to-date. According to international conventions, it is mandatory to combat drug supply and demand in a balanced manner. Countries are obliged to combat both in a balanced way because they have signed conventions to fight for the health and well-being of their own people. Our country is a party to all three of these conventions and was among the first signatories.”
“There is a much greater Methamphetamine Threat in Our Country Than Cocaine”
Atasoy stated that wastewater analysis research based in Istanbul shows that a thousand people use under 50 mg of cocaine daily, adding, “Amphetamine is a stimulant used in various forms, sold as tablets or powder. Amphetamine and methamphetamine seizures are quite high in Turkey. This gradually shows us what we need to fight against. In other words, there is a much greater methamphetamine threat in our country than cocaine. This is because, operationally, we are a country quite ahead of Europe. Looking at the seizure amounts in terms of tons, we see that Turkey has been seizing increasing amounts in recent years, currently nearly 15 tons of amphetamine, and methamphetamine is now even higher than that.”
“Turkey is the country that seizes the most heroin after Iran in the world”
Atasoy stated that Turkey is the country that seizes the most heroin after Iran in the world, adding: “For our country, heroin and other drugs derived from poppy, such as morphine, heroin, and codeine—collectively called opiates—are of very serious importance. Why, you ask? Because our country lies on one of the main smuggling routes, the Balkan route. For decades, our country has been fighting heroin transported through us from Afghanistan, produced there and destined for European countries, which are the main consumers, via this Balkan route. Even during the Covid period, heroin was seized significantly at our borders. It has even increased in just 3 months, namely between February and early April. As you can imagine, Covid prevented drug transport by air, but when land borders were open, especially when our border with Iran was open, heroin passed through our country. If you ask how much heroin Turkey seizes, it is many times higher than Europe’s. Turkey is the country that seizes the most heroin after Iran in the world.
“A comprehensive mobilization is needed”
Atasoy gave advice to families, saying, “This is a responsibility that all members of society must undertake; issues related to our children are not something only a teacher with specific training can handle. A comprehensive mobilization is absolutely necessary here. The family plays a very important role. First, it is necessary to ensure the student’s continuous attendance at school. If a child has psychological problems, they should be identified, and individual training should be provided to risk groups accordingly. There should be an education program that develops people’s social skills. There are international standards in the fight against drugs; these need to be translated into Turkish and discussed to determine which ones will be implemented.”