Assoc. Prof. Soner Kızıl, Head of the Department of Forensic Chemistry and Forensic Toxicology at Üsküdar University, addressed addictive substances, changing forms of use, the influence of social environment, and ways of protection in his Anti-Addiction Conference, given within the scope of the YÖK Anti-Addiction Action Plan.
What is Addiction?
Assoc. Prof. Soner Kızıl pointed out that addiction is a pattern of use or behavior that a person can maintain despite it negatively affecting their life. He stated, “Addiction is an irresistible desire for an object, person, or entity, or the state of falling under the influence of another will. Briefly, it can be described as a person becoming excessively attached to something and being unable to abandon the substance or behavior in question, even though it causes harm.”
Assoc. Prof. Kızıl stated that there are different types of addiction, noting that in addition to substance addiction, tobacco, alcohol, technology, and gambling addictions should also be addressed.
Beware of the “Let me try once” approach with electronic cigarettes!
Assoc. Prof. Soner Kızıl stated that tobacco and cigarette use lead to serious problems, and pointed out the increasing prevalence of electronic cigarettes with changing consumption habits. Assoc. Prof. Kızıl noted that marketing these products with phrases like “healthier” or “less harmful” can cause risks to be overlooked. He said, “We can observe the following behavior with electronic cigarettes: a person has a device, gives it to a friend, or the friend asks, ‘Can I try it too?’ However, the content of these products can include different chemicals, and in some cases, illicit drugs added illegally. Without knowing what they are exposed to, a person can consume it thinking, ‘I just got it from a friend, it’s just a cigarette, how harmful could it be?’”
Assoc. Prof. Kızıl emphasized that changes in the form of use or the appearance of the product do not eliminate the risks, and stated that particular caution should be exercised against products whose content and origin are unknown.
Beware of the ‘Once won’t hurt’ mindset
Assoc. Prof. Kızıl emphasized that one of the significant dangers in substance use is the person not knowing the true content of the product they encounter, and stated that the product’s name or assurances given by others do not constitute a reliable criterion for its content.
Assoc. Prof. Kızıl stated that particular caution should be exercised against substances offered in social circles, and warned, “Beware of the ‘Once won’t hurt’ mindset. Thoughts such as ‘Just once,’ ‘I can quit whenever I want,’ ‘I’m not addicted to anything anyway, as long as I want to quit’ never work.”
Turkey’s Position Increases Responsibility in the Fight Against Addiction
Assoc. Prof. Soner Kızıl drew attention to Turkey’s position on drug trafficking routes, stating, “Turkey is a country in a central position for drug transportation. This shows how important the work we need to do in terms of addiction prevention is, and the magnitude of our responsibility. Turkey is among the countries with high methamphetamine and Captagon seizures.”
Awareness Against Drug-Facilitated Crimes is Important
Kızıl stated that substances can be added to people’s drinks without their knowledge in entertainment venues, and that alcohol or drugs can affect a person’s ability to consciously consent to sexual activity. Assoc. Prof. Kızıl, expressing that this situation occurs in drug-facilitated sexual assaults, said:
“In an entertainment environment, a substance can be added to a person’s drink the moment they turn their head, or a drink can be offered to them. The person doing this may not always be a stranger; unfortunately, it can also be someone from the person’s close circle. Here, we need to think not only in terms of individual awareness but also as a scientist: How can we prevent these crimes?”
Delay in Reporting Can Make Substance Detection Difficult
Assoc. Prof. Kızıl stated that individuals who have been sexually assaulted under the influence of substances may find it difficult to seek help due to fear, shame, or uncertainty about what they experienced. He pointed out that delays can complicate toxicological examinations, saying, “Initially, people feel ashamed, hesitant, unable to speak, afraid, or unsure. It can take three to four days for them to gather courage. When this time passes, detecting the substance or its metabolites in the body, blood, and other biological samples can become difficult. Therefore, acting quickly and ensuring that those around the person are also aware of this is important.”
Easy Access Does Not Eliminate Alcohol’s Risks
Assoc. Prof. Kızıl emphasized that the easy availability of alcohol should not create a perception of harmlessness. He stated, “Alcohol can appear problem-free because it is easily accessible, but it carries serious dangers. A decrease in alcohol consumption may not necessarily mean that people are no longer using addictive substances. Different trends may emerge; there might be a shift towards other substances that take effect more quickly.”
“We Must Have a ‘No’ Plan in Advance”
Assoc. Prof. Kızıl pointed out the importance of individuals thinking in advance about how to respond to offers they might encounter in the fight against addiction. He said, “We must have a ‘no’ plan in advance. Briefly and firmly, ‘No, I don’t use it.’ And if it’s an environment where substances are used, one should be able to leave the environment if necessary. They should be able to say, ‘I don’t have to use it, I don’t have such a desire, I don’t use it.’”
Assoc. Prof. Kızıl also stated that environments posing a risk for substance use should be avoided. He said, “We need to stay away from environments where we might find drugs. If it’s a suspicious environment, an environment where you might encounter them, you should not be there even if you are not exposed in any way.”
Peer Group Can Increase Pressure to Use
Kızıl stated that friend choices can also impact students’ futures. He said, “The peer group is, of course, one of the most important factors here. Social environments where substance use is continuous can increase the pressure to use. Therefore, the friends you choose will determine your entire life, your career. Everything you are exposed to in your environment will affect you. If you look at this from a good perspective, if it is something effective and productive, it will, of course, affect you positively.”
Do Not Use Medication Unknowingly for Exam Success!
Assoc. Prof. Kızıl addressed that students might feel intense academic pressure during exam periods and drew attention to the risks of turning to medications suggested by others to improve focus or increase success.
Assoc. Prof. Kızıl emphasized that the fact that a drug is sold in a pharmacy does not mean it can be used by everyone. He stated, “You might feel intense academic pressure, many different situations might accumulate, but do not take chemicals from others thinking, ‘There’s a drug like this, it’s sold in pharmacies anyway, it’s very good’ to use various substances to increase exam or academic success, or to study more focused. Prescription drugs are personal. They are determined with a doctor’s diagnosis. Being available in a pharmacy or easily obtainable somewhere does not mean it is good. Because that drug is personal.”
“The Decision You Make Today Will Affect Your Entire Life”
At the end of his speech, Assoc. Prof. Kızıl reminded students of the importance of the choices they make at the beginning of their university life, concluding his words as follows:
“Remember; the decision you make today, right now, in your first or second year, will affect your entire career, your entire life. For this reason, even the smallest step you take now will contribute to building a strong foundation for yourself.”
