Drug screening at Keçiören Municipality: Initial tests for 171 personnel return positive
In a drug screening conducted for employees at Keçiören Municipality, 171 personnel tested positive. Subsequent test results for 42 of these individuals were recorded as negative. Meanwhile, the posters hung by Mayor Mesut Özarslan in July on billboards across the district, calling for reports against drug and alcohol use, have returned to the agenda.
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The results of a drug and stimulant screening conducted for employees at Keçiören Municipality have been entered into the judicial investigation file. According to official correspondence in the file, the initial screening results for 171 personnel in the voluntary-based application were positive.
According to information reflected in the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office investigation file numbered 2026/80263, the tests were carried out with the explicit consent of the employees. It was stated that the practice was initiated by the municipal company's management decision dated January 12, 2026.
The justification for the screening in the decision was cited as improving service standards, providing better service to citizens, and ensuring occupational health and safety. It was noted that the tests were performed through Delta Analiz ve Laboratuvar Hizmetleri A.Ş. after researching organizations accredited by TÜRKAK.
A police report dated July 3, 2026, which was included in the investigation file, contained information that 171 municipal personnel tested positive in the initial screenings. It was reported that for 42 of those who tested positive in the first screening, subsequent test results were negative.
JUDICIAL ACTION INSTRUCTION FROM THE CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
Following the screenings, the matter was moved to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. It was reported that after the investigation by the Ankara Narcotics Crimes Investigation Branch, the file is being handled by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Bureau of Investigation for Smuggling and Organized Crime.
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requested that legal action be taken against individuals who tested positive or were determined to have used drugs, within the scope of Article 191 of the Turkish Penal Code. This article regulates the acts of purchasing, accepting, possessing, or using drugs or stimulants for personal use.
It was stated that the prosecutor's office also gave instructions for the suspects' statements to be taken and for separate investigation documents to be prepared. It was also requested that blood, hair, and urine samples be taken within the scope of Article 75 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CMK) to determine the use and the type of substance used.
According to the correspondence in the file, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office sent a reminder letter to the Ankara Provincial Police Department on June 2, 2026, to accelerate the investigation process. It was noted that the police department engaged in correspondence with the municipality in line with the prosecutor's office instructions, and the municipality contacted the relevant private organization to officially obtain the test results.
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WARNING POSTERS WERE HUNG IN JULY
On the other hand, in July 2026, warning posters against drug and alcohol use were hung on billboards in the district by Keçiören Municipality.
In the posters prepared by Mayor Mesut Özarslan, who remained independent for a while after resigning from the CHP and later joined the AKP, it was requested that individuals using drugs or consuming alcohol in public areas be reported to police, security, and municipal police units.
According to the report by BirGün, the posters called on citizens to report drug use and "immoral acts" when they see them in parks, gardens, vacant lots, and other public areas.