Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy: "In Turkey, requests for drug treatment related to cocaine have increased in the last decade."
Noting that drugs are produced with artificial intelligence and new substances are created, Prof. Dr. Atasoy said, "Turkey is also among the leading countries in the use of technology in combating trafficking."
The United Nations (UN) International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) 2024 Report was announced simultaneously with the world by Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vice Rector, UN International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) Member for the periods 2005-2010, 2015-2022, and 2022-2027, and former President Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy. Prof. Dr. Atasoy was accompanied by Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan.
The report highlights that this year, the increase in the spread of synthetic drugs is reshaping illegal markets and replacing some plant-based drugs!
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: "82 percent of drug users are between the ages of 20-35. 90 percent of those who die from substance use are under 35. The age of drug use is known to be between 15-24 years. The fight against addiction cannot be carried out through NGOs. A serious state will is required."
At the press conference held in the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Central Campus Senate Hall, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vice Rector, Control Board member for the periods 2005-2010, 2015-2022, and 2022-2027, and former President Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, shared the INCB 2024 Report.
There are 800 thousand probation files related to substance use in Turkey
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, who attended the meeting online, stated that the UN report presented a profile of the global supply of narcotic drugs. Tarhan noted that this picture showed the continued demand for substance use worldwide, and that supply increased with demand.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that there is information that 10 million people in Turkey have substance and behavioral addictions, said, "There are also 800 thousand probation files related to substance use in Turkey."
"A State Addiction Institute should be established"
Noting that policies for combating addiction need to be re-evaluated, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "Because the young population is most affected by this. 82 percent of drug users are between 20-35 years old. 90 percent of those who die from substance use are under 35. The age of drug use is also known to be between 15-24 years. The fight against addiction cannot be carried out through NGOs. A serious state will is required."
Pointing to the need for addiction policies, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "A State Addiction Institute should be established. There is a need for this. This institute will determine addiction policies and collect data."
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also explained that substance use is the most important factor in social decay and family disintegration.
Recently, those using synthetic drugs are coming for addiction treatment
Emphasizing the recent increase in synthetic drug use in Turkey, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "Recently, the vast majority of patients are coming with synthetic substance use."
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that psychiatric illnesses immediately emerge in those who use such substances, especially if they have a predisposition. He added, "Synthetic stimulants are also recommended for academic success. Students take these stimulants to study. Children with attention problems can become candidates for substance addiction."
Tarhan, reminding that one of his addicted patients was hospitalized 20 times a year and therefore addiction policies need to be re-evaluated, drew attention to the importance of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention efforts.
Prof. Dr. Atasoy: "The illegal synthetic drug industry is rapidly expanding"
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy stated that the illegal synthetic drug industry is rapidly expanding, adding, "It is clear that if measures are not taken immediately, this situation will create a global public health problem leading to disastrous consequences. Non-medical synthetic drug use and related drug use disorders have already caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and countless personal and social harms in some countries."
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy noted that as the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), they support governments in addressing this issue by facilitating voluntary information exchange and coordination within their Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) and precursor control programs.
She added, "In the first part of our report, we emphasized the urgent need to increase efforts in prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, harm reduction, recovery, and social integration to protect people from these highly harmful substances."
"Serious inter-country inequalities persist in the availability of controlled drugs"
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy stated the following:
"According to data reported by governments to the INCB in accordance with the treaties, serious inter-country inequalities persist in the availability of controlled drugs used in pain management, anesthesia, treatment of neurological and cognitive diseases, and opioid use disorder. The global supply of opiate raw materials continues to exceed national requirements reported by governments to the INCB. However, we believe that the notifications of some countries do not fully reflect actual medical needs. The INCB conducts its Learning Program to ensure the availability of controlled substances for medical, scientific, and industrial purposes, improve access to treatment services, and at the same time prevent diversion to illicit channels and misuse, and we support governments in this context."
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy also stated that in 2024, they signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care aimed at increasing the availability of controlled substances through the exchange of research, data, and analysis. She added, "Ensuring patients' access to essential controlled medicines and treatment services, regardless of whether they result from natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other humanitarian causes, is essential and covers all types of emergencies. As the INCB, we find it useful to remind states affected by such conditions and exporting countries that simplified control measures can be applied in emergencies as foreseen by the conventions."
"Respect for human rights is inherent in drug control treaties"
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy also pointed out that ensuring all patients' access to internationally controlled medicines and treatment for drug use disorders, everywhere and at all times, is part of the right to health. She stated, "Respect for human rights is inherent in drug control treaties and is a prerequisite for their implementation. The INCB has repeatedly called for the inclusion of human rights in the development and implementation of drug policies. Human rights obligations also include promoting equality and non-discrimination
against people who use drugs, prohibiting arbitrary arrest and detention, the right to a fair trial in drug-related crimes, the principle of proportionality, and protection against all cruel and inhumane punishment."
IONICS led to numerous successful operations
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy drew attention to the ten years of operation of the Project Ion Incident Communication System (IONICS) in 2024, which facilitated information exchange regarding 100,000 synthetic drug trafficking incidents. She explained that this system, which allowed the sharing of critical information about incidents involving new psychoactive substances, including highly potent non-medical synthetic opioids, recently led to numerous successful operations such as Operation Zodiac and Operation African Star, coordinated at the INCB GRIDS Programme Cyber Communications Centre (GC3) in Vienna.
Prof. Dr. Atasoy noted that these operations disrupted illicit supply chains and reduced the availability of substances in illegal markets worldwide. She added, "Furthermore, in 2024, our recommendation for the international control of two fentanyl precursors and 16 amphetamine-type stimulant precursors was accepted by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)."
"We eagerly await positive results"
Prof. Dr. Atasoy said, "We welcomed the conclusion and adoption of a new United Nations convention on cybercrime in 2024. We are particularly pleased with the inclusion of drug trafficking using Internet-based technologies and eagerly await the positive results that will be achieved through its implementation."
Increase in methamphetamine trafficking in Turkey...
Prof. Dr. Atasoy also pointed out striking aspects regarding Turkey in the report, stating that one of them was the increase in methamphetamine trafficking and the widespread use of cocaine as a transit country.
Prof. Dr. Atasoy noted a significant increase in methamphetamine seizures, especially since 2019, with a record 21.9 tons of the substance seized in 2023. She stated, "This situation indicates the continued trafficking of methamphetamine into Turkey from Afghanistan, either via Iran or directly from Iran. On the other hand, although 'captagon' seizures decreased compared to 2022, Turkey is increasingly being used as a transit corridor for cocaine sent from Latin America to Europe, a situation that can be attributed to traffickers' efforts to avoid European ports believed to have tightened security."
Decrease in the amount of heroin seized
Atasoy stated that Turkey plays an active role in combating drug trafficking and carries out operations both nationally and internationally in this context, and continued:
"In 2023, 13.7 million 'captagon' tablets were seized, but this number decreased compared to the previous year. A 64% decrease in the amount of heroin seized was also reported, from 22.2 tons in 2021 to 8 tons in 2022. As this decrease in seized heroin may be a result of the Taliban's ban on opium production in Afghanistan, European countries need to be aware that this ban could create conditions contributing to the use of synthetic opioids."
"Demands for cocaine-related drug treatment increased in the last decade"
Prof. Dr. Atasoy noted that the report indicates an increase in the use of methamphetamine and 'captagon' in the Middle East and Southwest Asia region, including Turkey, and drew attention to the fact that this situation could put pressure on already limited treatment and rehabilitation services. She said, "In Turkey, demands for drug treatment related to cocaine as the primary drug of use have increased in the last decade."
"Traces of substances have also been found in wastewater in Turkey"
Addressing the issue of wastewater, Prof. Dr. Atasoy said, "While methamphetamine traces are more concentrated in countries and regions where the substance has historically been prevalent, such as Czechia and Slovakia, traces of the substance have also been found in wastewater in Belgium, East Germany, Spain, the Netherlands (Kingdom), and Turkey."
Turkey cannot be said to be a producing country
Answering journalists' questions, Prof. Dr. Atasoy stated that substances come to Turkey from the west, east, and south, adding, "Turkey cannot be said to be a producing country."
Prof. Dr. Atasoy also said that drug substances were seen to be produced even in soap factories under the old regime in Syria, and that the new administration in that country is fighting against this situation.
Artificial intelligence is also used in drug production
Prof. Dr. Atasoy said, "Currently, the only way to determine if methamphetamine seized in Turkey originates from Afghanistan is to ascertain whether ephedra DNA is present within it. For this, we are the first and only team in the world. As Üsküdar Üniversitesi..."
Noting that drugs are produced with artificial intelligence and new substances are created, Prof. Dr. Atasoy said, "Turkey is also among the leading countries in the use of technology in combating trafficking."
What does the report contain?
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) 2024 Annual Report states that the rapid increase in synthetic drug production and consumption in recent years poses significant challenges for public health and the international drug control system.
Some sections from the 2024 Report are as follows:
"It draws attention to the difficulties in ensuring access to internationally controlled substances for medical purposes in humanitarian emergencies caused by armed conflicts. Drug control treaties allow for the expedited movement of controlled substances for medical use in emergencies. The INCB calls on States exercising effective control over foreign territories in the context of armed conflict to take urgent measures to ensure unhindered access to medicines, including those containing internationally controlled substances. The INCB also urges such States to continue providing access to controlled substances if opioid agonist treatment was provided prior to the occupation."
Precursors report
The precursors report also included the following statements:
"International control of two additional fentanyl precursors and two groups of amphetamine-type stimulant precursors came into force. On December 3, 2024, two fentanyl precursors and two closely related series of designer precursors of amphetamine-type stimulants (a total of 16 substances) were added to Schedule I of the 1988 Convention."
Illegal poppy cultivation increased in Afghanistan in 2024
The report also highlighted the following:
"Illegal poppy cultivation in Afghanistan increased in 2024, but was still lower than the levels before the 'drug ban' declared by the de facto authorities in 2022. The illegal cultivation area was 12,800 hectares, 19% more than the previous year. Methamphetamine production appears to continue to increase in Afghanistan. This is evidenced by the increase in seizures of this substance in neighboring Central Asian countries, Southwest Asia, and Turkey."
Ketamine available in many national illicit drug markets across Europe…
The ongoing instability in the Syrian Arab Republic since 2011 has led to an increase in the availability and industrial-scale production of 'captagon', integrated with increasing crystal methamphetamine trafficking. European Union member states reported record amounts of cocaine seized for the sixth consecutive year. An increase in the non-medical use of ketamine has been observed in some parts of Europe. Evidence shows that ketamine is consistently available in many national illicit drug markets across Europe."