A striking warning from Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy!

As drug use increases in Turkey, just as it does all over the world, 'classic drugs' are being replaced by synthetic drugs. While drawing attention to this, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy emphasized that Turkey has specifically become a consumer country.

Addressing young people, Prof. Dr. Atasoy underlined that methamphetamine seizure rates have quadrupled in the last two years, stating, "Turkey did not become addicted to heroin, but Turkey is currently becoming addicted to methamphetamine."

Speaking about the treatment process, Prof. Dr. Atasoy said, "However, in the current situation, if addicted individuals want to receive treatment, they cannot be admitted to the hospital immediately; they are usually asked to come back after three or six months."

INCREASED BY 20 PERCENT IN THE LAST 10 YEARS

Üsküdar University Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy drew attention to the magnitude of the danger at a conference held under the title 'Combating Addiction'.

Stating that substance addiction is becoming an increasingly growing problem in the world, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy noted that according to 2022 statistics, 292 million people worldwide use substances, this number has increased by 20 percent in the last 10 years, cannabis is the most common among substance users, followed by heroin, amphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy, and this situation reveals how serious a problem the fight against drugs is for humanity.

WE ARE BECOMING ADDICTED TO METHAMPHETAMINE

Explaining that there is a vast criminal network in the world and that drug trafficking is an important part of this network, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy stated the following:

“Different types of drugs are transported via different routes. For example, green routes are used for cocaine, and red routes for heroin. Due to its geographical location, Turkey is located on the Balkan route. Throughout history, this route was used for trade as part of the Silk Road extending from China to Europe. That is why we have always been a country on top of this traffic for heroin. With the Taliban taking control in Afghanistan, poppy cultivation was banned. Since Afghan villagers could no longer earn money from heroin production, they turned to synthesizing methamphetamine. This has turned Turkey into a transit country where methamphetamine trade has replaced heroin. Transit countries are also generally affected by the local use of drugs. Turkey did not become addicted to heroin, but Turkey is currently becoming addicted to methamphetamine.”

QUADRUPLED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS

Noting that synthetic pharmaceuticals, counterfeit drugs, and especially synthetic cannabis are among the substances that have been increasing rapidly in Turkey in recent years, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy said that methamphetamine seizure rates have quadrupled in the last two years, which shows the increase and diversification of illegal substances in the market.

THOSE WHO WANT TREATMENT ARE ASKED TO COME BACK SIX MONTHS LATER

While stating that seizure rates have increased, Prof. Dr. Atasoy continued her words as follows:

Our country has shown a high level of success worldwide by seizing 35 to 40 percent of the drugs passing through it. However, this is only half of the total amount; the rest remains in the hands of smugglers. Despite the efforts of the police, a significant amount of drugs that cannot be seized continues to be sent from the Pacific, Western countries, and the Arabian Peninsula.

Street-level drug dealers are also caught every day; however, due to poverty and unemployment, it is easy to find new people to replace them. Addicts must be treated. It is essential 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, they cannot be admitted to the hospital immediately; they are usually asked to come back after three or six months. We were a transit country. But now we are a consumer."

WE ARE AGAINST PUTTING SUBSTANCE ADDICTS IN PRISON

Stating that substance addiction is a brain disease and that it is essential to treat it, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy said, “That is why we are vehemently against putting substance addicts in prisons. They must be treated. But they must be treated with modern and scientific methods.”

ADVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE: 'FIRST LEARN TO SAY NO'

Addressing young people, Prof. Dr. Atasoy warned, 'The hardest thing was not to obtain any drug handed to you or a cigarette or hookah containing a substance. First of all, we need to learn to say 'no'. Atasoy continued her words as follows: “

“Social media, of course, has a huge danger. Because this is an organized crime that brings in billions of dollars, more income than the own revenue of many countries. They also use social media. Every post about any substance or any drug we see there is actually a trap created for you to become a user or for you to encourage others to do so. Be aware of this. You may frequently encounter comments full of praise about substance use on social media; remember that this is supported by algorithms. These contents you encounter frequently may one day cause you to accept a substance handed to you.”

SYNTHETIC DRUG USE IS INCREASING

The report titled "Turkey Drug Report: Trends and Developments" prepared by the General Directorate of Security's Anti-Narcotic Crimes Department also reveals that synthetic drugs have become increasingly common and their use has increased in recent years instead of 'classic drugs'. While the report states, "Drug-related crimes, which continue to be a problem that grows globally over the years, continue to increase in our country as they do all over the world," it also includes the information that "There may be initial signs that our country is starting to be seen as a transit country in methamphetamine trade due to its geographical location."

News Source: 12punto