Turkey's drug report released: Methamphetamine hits a record

The General Directorate of Security's Department of Anti-Narcotic Crimes has published the 2024 Turkey Drug Report. The report provides a detailed look at trends in drug trafficking and usage in Turkey.

The significant increase in methamphetamine seizures, in particular, drew attention.

METHAMPHETAMINE HITS A RECORD

The report revealed that the amount of methamphetamine seized rose from 16 tons 210 kilograms in 2023 to 21 tons 912 kilograms in 2024, an increase of 35.5%. Globally, 367 tons of methamphetamine were seized, a 7% decrease compared to 2022.

SHARP DECLINE IN HEROIN

Following the Taliban's ban on opium cultivation in April 2022, a sharp decline was observed in the amounts of heroin seized in Turkey. While 22 thousand 202 kilograms of heroin were seized in 2021, this amount fell to 7 thousand 972 kilograms in 2022 and to 3 thousand 314 kilograms in 2023.

INCREASE IN CANNABIS CULTIVATION

The report stated that cannabis seizures reached 77.9 tons in 2023, a 23% increase, while the amount of cannabis root seized also increased by 43.6%.

NEW SYNTHETIC SUBSTANCES

Addressing concerns regarding new psychoactive substances (NPS), the report emphasized that the amount of synthetic cannabinoids seized in 2023 nearly doubled. The seizure amount, which was 1 thousand 56 kilograms in 2022, rose to 1 thousand 994 kilograms in 2023.

Data on drug-related deaths in the report also drew attention. In 2023, drug-related deaths increased by 22%, reaching 300. Deaths caused by methamphetamine rose from 7.7% in 2017 to 46.3% in 2023. In 2023, methamphetamine was found in 53.5% of the 185 deaths caused by multi-drug use.

News Source: 12punto

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