Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy: “We call on Governments and international and regional organizations to implement the recommendations we outlined in the 2023 annual report.”
The United Nations (UN) International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) 2023 Report was announced simultaneously with the world by Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, Vice-Rector of Üsküdar University, Member and former President of the United Nations (UN) International Narcotics Control Board for the periods 2005-2010, 2015-2022, and 2022-2027.
This year, the report specifically focused on the role of the internet, including social media, in drug trafficking and use.
Noting that Turkey is facing a methamphetamine problem in terms of public health, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy said, “The increase in methamphetamine trafficking in recent years and record-level seizures in 2022 are also escalating the threat Turkey faces for public health. The share of methamphetamine-related deaths in total drug-related deaths has also steadily risen in recent years.”
Atasoy also pointed out that the fight against drug and substance use should be carried out with evidence-based and scientific methods rather than punishment, emphasizing that the budget allocated for supply and prevention should be balanced.
At the press conference held in the Üsküdar University Central Campus Senate Hall, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, Vice-Rector of Üsküdar University, member of the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board for the periods 2005-2010, 2015-2022, and 2022-2027, and its former President, shared the INCB 2023 Report.
“We call on Governments to use methods that will provide access to medicines”
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy noted that emergencies related to natural disasters and conflicts due to climate change in 2023 have led to acute humanitarian needs for medicines containing internationally controlled substances, stating, “As the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), we call on Governments in such situations to use simple control methods that will provide unimpeded access to medicines.”
“Many countries cannot foresee their needs for substances that are essential medicines”
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy stated that the INCB 2023 annual report provides an analysis of the global availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes, adding, “We underline that regional disparities in the consumption of opioid analgesics for pain treatment persist. The main reason for this situation is that many countries cannot accurately foresee their medical requirements for these substances, which are essential medicines. Affordable morphine consumption levels in regions outside Europe and North America are insufficient to meet medical needs. Through the Training Program we offer online, we support Member States in improving their forecasting and thus increasing the availability of controlled substances for medical, scientific, and industrial purposes.”
“Poppy cultivation and heroin production significantly reduced in Afghanistan”
Assessing in terms of “illicit drug supply,” Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy noted that poppy cultivation and heroin production have significantly decreased in Afghanistan, stating, “As affected farmers may not have other sources of income, alternative livelihoods must be secured. Illicit markets worldwide, especially the serious health threat posed by the potential use of high-potency synthetic opioids in place of heroin, need to be closely monitored.”
“Focus on combating the trafficking of synthetic drugs and their precursors”
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy explained that INCB focuses on combating the trafficking of synthetic drugs and their precursors, and continued:
“To address this global threat to public health, INCB has launched new initiatives under its Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) programs. These aim to prevent the diversion of both chemicals and equipment for illicit drug manufacture and to support public-private partnerships to prevent the exploitation of the chemical industry and internet-based and postal/courier services for the trafficking of new psychoactive substances and non-medical synthetic opioids.”
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy reminded that further details on recent trends and initiatives concerning precursor chemicals are contained in the 2023 Precursors Report.
“The role of the internet, including social media, in drug trafficking and use”
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy also noted the following:
“The thematic chapter of the 2023 Annual Report examines the role of the internet, including social media, in drug trafficking and use. It highlights the challenges encountered in addressing online drug trafficking due to encryption technologies and jurisdictional issues, as well as the exploitation of legitimate e-commerce platforms.
INCB, while concerned about the increasing use of social media platforms to market drugs, including to children, also draws attention to the opportunities social media and the internet offer to improve prevention, awareness-raising, and access to treatment services. Recommended actions for Governments include engagement with the private sector and INCB operational activities that enable authorities worldwide to share information in real time to prevent high-potency substances from reaching the public.”
“The Report reviews the functioning of the international drug control system”
Emphasizing that the protection of health and well-being is a core concern of international drug control treaties, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy said, “The Report reviews the functioning of the international drug control system, including INCB's support to Member States to improve the implementation of the treaties and promote health and well-being.”
In her speech, Prof. Dr. Atasoy warned, “As INCB, we call on Governments and international and regional organizations to implement the recommendations we outlined in the 2023 annual report. We also encourage civil society organizations to integrate these recommendations into their work. Every person has the right to the highest attainable standard of health. To make everyone's health and well-being a reality, Governments, supported by the international community and civil society, must translate their political will and policy commitments into concrete action.”
What paragraphs in the 2023 World Report mention Turkey?
Prof. Dr. Atasoy, referring to the paragraphs mentioning Turkey in the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board 2023 World Report, summarized the following information:
“In 2022, the Balkan Route continued to be the main thoroughfare for opiates originating from Afghanistan to reach Central and Western Europe via Iran and Turkey. According to recent data, the use of the Southern Route for trafficking Afghan opiates has increased, meaning the route passing through Iran and Pakistan, reaching Europe directly by sea or air, or indirectly via South Asia, Africa, and the Gulf. Seizures of Afghanistan-linked heroin and morphine trafficked from Central Asia to the Russian Federation via the Northern Route are higher than those on the Southern Route.
Turkey has increasingly seized methamphetamine since 2019. This number doubled in 2022, reaching an all-time high of 77.7 tons. This situation can largely be attributed to the trafficking of Afghanistan-originating methamphetamine through neighboring Islamic Republic of Iran. This methamphetamine, while targeting East and Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Europe, and North Africa,
can also remain in Turkey’s domestic markets.
“Facilities converting liquid methamphetamine to crystal form detected, especially around Istanbul”
While Turkey generally seizes crystal methamphetamine, it also confiscated a significant amount of liquid methamphetamine. Authorities reported that liquid methamphetamine is preferred due to greater concealment possibilities. Facilities converting liquid methamphetamine to crystal form were detected in some rural areas, particularly around Istanbul.
Turkey reported that synthetic cannabinoids (synthetic cannabis), consumed in cigarette form and recently in electronic cigarette form, are still the most seized drugs in the country among substances classified as “new psychoactive substances.” However, Turkey’s synthetic cannabis seizure numbers decreased by 53 percent compared to 2021. It was approximately 2.2 tons in 2001, falling to about 1 ton in 2002.
“24 million Captagon tablets seized in 2022”
Turkey seized more “Captagon” in 2022 than in previous years. While 14 million tablets were seized in 2021, this number increased to 24 million tablets in 2022. This figure is ten times higher than the 2.8 million tablets seized in 2021.
The trafficking of “skunk,” a very potent form of cannabis, poses a serious problem for Turkey. The country reported a decrease in cannabis seizures between 2020-2022, while the quantities of “skunk” seized increased compared to previous years. The 63.3 tons of cannabis seized in 2022 was 28 percent less than in 2020. In contrast, “skunk” seizures increased by 56 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 8.6 tons.
“Turkey seized 2.3 tons of cocaine in 2022. This amount is 18 percent more than in 2021”
Turkey is increasingly being used as a transit country for cocaine, coming directly from Latin America or indirectly via West Africa, to reach European target markets via the Balkan Route. The amount of cocaine seized since 2014 increased sevenfold in 2021, reaching a record level of 2.3 tons. A portion of the cocaine transiting through Turkey targets Middle Eastern markets. In 2022, Turkey seized 2.3 tons of cocaine. This amount is 18 percent more than in 2021.
2.3 tons of cocaine destined for Turkey seized in Peru
On March 24, 2023, Peruvian authorities reported seizing 2.3 tons of cocaine hidden within ceramic tiles and destined for Turkey. They stated that the shipment, which was to travel to Turkey via an expanded maritime trafficking route, was a first in Peru-Turkey trafficking.
1.1 tons of cocaine seized in a container from Turkey in the Netherlands
Another major incident related to cocaine trafficking was the seizure of 1.1 tons of cocaine in a container from Turkey at Dutch customs on May 16, 2023.
According to a study conducted in Turkey in 2022 concerning individuals who committed drug-related crimes, the most frequently used drug was cannabis at 49.2 percent, followed by methamphetamine at 24.9 percent, and heroin at 6.8 percent. Synthetic pharmaceuticals accounted for 5.9 percent, and synthetic cannabis, locally known as "bonzai," accounted for 4.3 percent.
Over 321,000 people received outpatient and inpatient treatment in 2022
In 2022, health institutions provided outpatient services to 302,911 people and inpatient services to 18,187 people. 37.4 percent of patients were treated for heroin use (43 percent in 2021), 37.8 percent for methamphetamine use (25.6 percent in 2021), 7 percent for cannabis use (11.6 percent in 2021), 1.3 percent for synthetic cannabis use (5.8 percent in 2021), 7 percent for opiate use (4.2 percent in 2021), and 2.9 percent for cocaine use (2.7 percent in 2021). The remainder were treated for "ecstasy" and other drug substances.
Turkey faces a methamphetamine problem in terms of public health
The increase in methamphetamine trafficking in recent years and record-level seizures in 2022 are also escalating the threat Turkey faces for public health. The share of methamphetamine-related deaths in total drug-related deaths has also steadily risen in recent years. While this figure was 6.2 percent in 2018 (41 out of 657 deaths), it reached 31.2 percent in 2020 (98 out of 314 deaths), and finally 59.9 percent in 2022 (140 out of 246 deaths).”
“Budget allocated for supply and prevention must be balanced!”
Atasoy emphasized that the fight against drug and substance use should be carried out with evidence-based and scientific methods rather than punishment, stressing that the budget allocated for supply and prevention should also be balanced.
What does the Report include?
The INCB 2023 Report, titled “The role of the internet, including social media, in drug trafficking and use,” examines the challenges and opportunities for drug control, prevention, and treatment in the internet age, as well as online drug trafficking, and provides recommendations to Governments. The report analyzes the global availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes, highlighting persistent inequalities in access to medicines for pain treatment. Focusing on the trafficking of synthetic drugs, including non-medical synthetic opioids, cocaine, and their precursors used in their synthesis, the report offers recommendations to Governments, United Nations bodies, and relevant international and national organizations on preventing the growing danger to public health.