Within the scope of Üsküdar Üniversitesi 2025-2026 Academic Year Orientation Days, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, one of Turkey's and the world's most respected forensic scientists, gave a "Conference on Combating Addiction." Prof. Dr. Atasoy stated, "Addiction is a treatable, chronic brain disease," emphasizing that the entire medical sector, especially the World Health Organization, recognizes addiction as a brain disease, that this chronic illness can relapse, and that if not prevented, it can lead to fatal consequences.
Offering concrete advice to students, Prof. Dr. Atasoy said, “Always stay away from environments where you suspect drugs are present. Learn to say 'no' to anything offered to you during your most difficult or most enjoyable moments.”
Within the scope of Üsküdar Üniversitesi 2025-2026 Academic Year Orientation Days, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, one of Turkey's and the world's most respected forensic scientists, President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Vice-Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Head of the Forensic Sciences Department, and Director of the Institute of Addiction and Forensic Sciences, gave a "Conference on Combating Addiction." The conference, held at the Merkez Yerleşke Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall, was followed in a hybrid format from the NP Sağlık Yerleşkesi İbni Sina Auditorium and Çarşı Yerleşke Emin Nebi Hall.
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy began her speech by greeting the students with "Hello, welcome," and stated that Üsküdar Üniversitesi would be a home where they would spend the most enjoyable years of their lives. Prof. Dr. Atasoy invited the students to have a successful four years and to enjoy this period, adding that those pursuing double majors or continuing with master's and doctoral programs would maintain their ties with the university.
Addressing the global issue of drug and general addiction, which is encountered in all age groups worldwide, and emphasizing the necessity and growing importance of combating it, Prof. Dr. Atasoy stated that addiction is not a contemporary problem, and that humans consumed plants for different purposes even tens of thousands of years ago.
International conventions and oversight
Prof. Dr. Atasoy explained that international cooperation began in the early 1900s, upon the realization that no country could combat this epidemic alone. She stated that three major international conventions, dated 1961, 1971, and 1988, to which Turkey is also a signatory, form the basis of the fight against addiction. These conventions address supply and demand and stipulate that controlled substances (such as cannabis, cocaine, morphine, heroin, LSD, and methamphetamine) should only be used for scientific and medical purposes.
Prof. Dr. Atasoy announced that there is a 13-member group of inspectors (the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board) overseeing the implementation of these conventions, and that she herself is the president of this board.
Current situation and new threats
Prof. Dr. Atasoy stated that the problem of substance addiction continues today, with some countries imposing prison sentences or even the death penalty on drug users, yet addiction rates remain high. She drew attention to the dangers of fentanyl, a substance 50-100 times stronger than heroin, which has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths in the United States recently.
Stating that “even a pinhead-sized amount can paralyze people and lead to death,” Prof. Dr. Atasoy indicated that Fentanyl is currently moving towards Eastern European countries and poses a global threat. Prof. Dr. Atasoy noted that combating only the supply (rounding up sellers, customs controls, etc.) is insufficient, as traffickers transport substances using incredible techniques like submarines, adding, "If there is demand for a product, people will inevitably find it somehow, or they will seek and use another similar substance."
Addiction is a treatable, chronic brain disease
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy explained that addiction was regarded as a 'moral issue' in the Middle Ages and up until the beginning of the last century, with addicted individuals being accused of immorality. However, she emphasized that this perception has changed today, and addiction is now defined as "a medical condition characterized by recurring substance use despite harmful consequences."
Prof. Dr. Atasoy stated, "Addiction is a treatable, chronic brain disease," emphasizing that the entire medical sector, especially the World Health Organization, recognizes addiction as a brain disease, that this chronic illness can relapse, and that if not prevented, it can lead to fatal consequences.
Global drug use is increasing
Prof. Dr. Atasoy stated that despite all efforts, drug use is increasing globally, and said, “There are, of course, various reasons for this increase. Poverty, unemployment, and lack of education are among the primary causes. High stress levels, wars, and many other parameters are factors that people sometimes resort to as a solution to sleep less, work more, stay hungry longer, or forget their troubles.”
Prof. Dr. Atasoy announced that approximately 316 million people worldwide were known to have used drugs last year, stating, “The proportion of these individuals corresponds to about 6% of the population aged 15-64; in other words, 6 out of every 100 people in this age group have used at least one substance. This rate is likely even higher because statistics generally do not cover groups under 15 and over 64, yet there are substance users in these age ranges as well. Last year, approximately 244 million substance users were noted for cannabis use; meaning cannabis is the number one substance in global substance use. While there might be perceptions in some countries that cannabis is legalized, the reality is that cannabis use is not unconditionally and unreservedly free in any country.”
The danger begins from the womb
Prof. Dr. Atasoy explained that substances like synthetic opioids, natural opiates, amphetamines, and cocaine follow cannabis, stating, "Nine out of ten addicts started substance use before the age of 21. This is very dangerous. Why dangerous? Because if prevention and awareness are to be done, they need to start much earlier than 21. Because 90% of addicts are at a much younger age. That is, in high school, middle school, or even perhaps elementary school... Or, if their mother used a substance while pregnant, then from that point, from the womb, they begin to live within such a danger.”
Stating that university years are a turning point and that decisions made during this period will seriously affect health, education, career, and family life, Prof. Dr. Atasoy expressed the following:
“You are currently in a position to make the right decisions. How will you make the right decisions? But primarily, you need to learn to say no. Alcohol, undoubtedly, is among the most harmful substances in society. Fortunately, alcohol consumption in Turkey has not reached the levels seen in Western countries or some other regions.”
Antidepressant addiction is a widespread problem
On the other hand, Prof. Dr. Atasoy stated that there are a wide variety of chemical and natural substances, referred to as “illicit substances,” whose use, production, and distribution are restricted. She said, “A broad spectrum, from mushroom or plant-derived components to synthetically produced powders in laboratories, can cause addiction in people. Furthermore, addiction is not limited to illicit substances: addiction can also develop to some prescription medications. The misuse and addiction to prescription preparations like antidepressants, anxiolytics, and sleep medications are widespread problems. In Turkey, especially in addiction cases encountered by women, prescription drug addiction is observed to hold as significant a place as cannabis, heroin, or synthetic drugs. Problems such as sharing prescription drugs with friends, non-prescription use, trafficking, and counterfeit drug circulation also exist; therefore, monitoring the correct use of medications and increasing public awareness are of great importance.”
Anything that hijacks the brain's reward system causes addiction!
Prof. Dr. Atasoy noted that behavioral addictions, such as social media (e.g., 6-7 hours of Instagram, Twitter, TikTok use per day), also negatively affect work, education, daily life, and health, pointing to the breadth of the issue by stating, “Anything that hijacks the brain's reward system causes addiction. Even food can cause addiction.”
What are the causes of addiction?
Seeking an answer to the question, "Will I become addicted?", Prof. Dr. Atasoy stated that addiction does not have a single cause, and that there are many risk factors such as genetic predisposition, substance use in the family, peer group, and societal acceptance.
Learn to say 'no' to anything offered to you!
At the end of her conference, Prof. Dr. Atasoy offered concrete advice to students, stating the following:
“Always stay away from environments where you suspect drugs are present (she drew attention to the risk of passive use). Make friends who do not use drugs and guide your friends who do use substances to seek professional support. You will save a life this way. Learn to say 'no' to anything offered to you during your most difficult or most enjoyable moments. Learn to cope with stress. Sports, simple exercises, walks, breathing exercises, and listening to music reduce stress. In short, protect your brain because this is a brain disease. Health is the most valuable treasure.”