Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy met with students at the Addiction Awareness Conference held within the scope of the 2024-2025 Academic Year Orientation Days, drawing attention to the shift from being a transit country to a user country. Atasoy said, "Substance addiction is a brain disease and must be treated. This is why we are vehemently opposed to putting substance addicts in prisons."
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vice Rector and Head of Forensic Medicine Department Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy addressed students at the Addiction Awareness Conference held within the scope of the 2024-2025 Academic Year Orientation Days.
Atasoy stated that this year, for the first time in the 2024-2025 academic year, a conference on "Addiction Awareness" was organized in the orientation programs of all universities in Turkey.
"First and foremost, we need to learn to say 'no'"
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy emphasized that young people may encounter various substances, whether natural or chemical, at any moment, stating, "These substances can be tried, but at some point, the commercial aspect comes into play, and in this situation, we must not forget that there are certain forces that want to drag you into addiction. Today, we underline how dangerous and widespread substance addiction is for young adults. At these ages, the most difficult thing is not to acquire any drug offered to you or any cigarette or hookah containing a substance. First and foremost, we need to learn to say 'no'."
"We must learn the real risks of substance use"
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy advised young people, 'You need to know how to say no to anything offered to you in your moment of sorrow,' adding, "Because it might temporarily relieve you. Perhaps it can solve your problem for a short while, but as long as your distress, your problem remains, you will fall into the same cycle again. Therefore, it is imperative that we prioritize solving the problem itself. We must learn the real risks of substance use."
"We are against putting substance addicts in prisons"
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy pointed out that cannabis use has been legalized in some countries through legal changes, stating, "By the way, we need to know that the saying 'cannabis is a plant, it has no harm' is an urban legend. All substances, if abused – even those for medical purposes – cause brain damage. In short, substance addiction is a brain disease and must be treated. This is why we are vehemently opposed to putting substance addicts in prisons. They must be treated. But they must be treated with modern and scientific methods."
Substance use is encouraged through social media
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy continued, "When you encounter any substance among friends, do not hesitate to support each other. We need to protect not only ourselves but also our friends, siblings, and family members around us."
"Of course, social media poses a great danger. Because this is an organized crime worth billions of dollars, generating more revenue than many countries' own incomes. They also use social media. Every post we see there about any substance or any drug is actually a trap designed for you to become a user or to encourage others to use it. Be aware of this. You may often come across praiseworthy comments about substance use on social media; do not forget that these are supported by algorithms. These frequently encountered contents may one day cause you to accept a substance offered to you."
Beware of prescription drug abuse!
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy stated that nowadays, traditional addictive substances have been replaced by synthetic substances produced in laboratories and easily obtainable, and these substances, despite their strong addictive effects, are cheaper. She added, "Another type of addiction dangerous for university students is the abuse of prescription drugs. All over the world, both women and men can use substances; however, women tend to misuse prescription drugs like antidepressants, sleeping pills, and painkillers for non-treatment purposes."
Substance addiction is a growing problem worldwide!
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy stated that substance addiction is becoming an increasingly growing problem worldwide, noting that according to 2022 statistics, 292 million people globally use substances, a 20% increase in the last 10 years. Among substance users, cannabis is the most common, followed by heroin, amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstasy, which highlights how serious the fight against drugs is for humanity.
"Turkey did not become addicted to heroin, but is now becoming addicted to methamphetamine"
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy explained that there is a vast criminal network worldwide, and drug trafficking is a significant part of this network, stating the following:
"Different types of drugs are transported via different routes. For example, green routes are used for cocaine, and red routes for heroin. Illegal activities such as human trafficking also occur along the same routes. Due to its geographical location, Turkey is situated on the Balkan route. This route has historically been used for trade as part of the Silk Road, extending from China to Europe. That is why we were always a country on this traffic route for heroin. With the Taliban taking control in Afghanistan, opium poppy cultivation was banned. Afghan villagers, no longer able to earn money from heroin production, turned to synthesizing methamphetamine. This situation has turned Turkey into a transit country where methamphetamine trade has replaced heroin. Transit countries are usually also affected by local drug use. Turkey did not become addicted to heroin, but Turkey is currently becoming addicted to methamphetamine."
Quadrupled in the last two years!
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy noted that among the substances rapidly increasing in Turkey in recent years are synthetic drugs and counterfeit medicines, especially synthetic cannabis, known as "bonzai," which contain the active ingredient of cannabis but are not real cannabis. She stated that methamphetamine seizure rates have quadrupled in the last two years, indicating an increase and diversification of illegal substances in the market.
We were a transit country, but now we are users!
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy pointed out that our country has shown high success globally by seizing 35% to 40% of the drugs passing through it. She added, "However, this is only half of the total amount; the rest remains in the hands of traffickers. Despite police efforts, a significant amount of drugs that cannot be seized continues to be sent from the Pacific, Western countries, and the Arabian Peninsula. Drug dealers selling on the streets are also apprehended every day; however, due to poverty and unemployment, it is easy for new individuals to replace them. Addicts need to be treated. It is imperative that all physicians have knowledge about addiction treatment and that the number of private hospitals increases. However, in the current situation, if addicted individuals want to receive treatment, immediate admission to a hospital is often not possible; they are usually asked to come back in three or six months. We were a transit country. But now we are users."
On the same day, Atasoy also met with health students in her second conference at the NP Health Campus Ibn-i Sina Auditorium.
Atasoy also signed her books at the end of the conferences…