Turkey’s Role in the Fight Against Drugs
Drug trafficking in our country has become a form of crime that transcends national borders and operates at the regional and international levels.
The rise in the number of drug addicts worldwide, the high profit margins in drug trafficking, the growing efforts by terrorist organizations to secure a share of these profits, and technological advancements have turned the problem of drug production and trafficking into a comprehensive global challenge. For this reason, it is emphasized that solving the drug problem requires international cooperation and is a shared responsibility…
Turkey approaches this issue with this understanding and, in addition to its efforts at the national level, is joining forces at the regional and global levels to significantly strengthen its efforts
Support. Due to Turkey’s geographical location, which makes it a transit route for drug traffickers transporting drugs originating in Asia to European drug markets, our country has played a significant role in this fight on the international stage. As a result, our country’s successful fight against smuggling networks has prevented drugs from transiting through our territory. Consequently, the operations carried out, the smuggling networks dismantled, and the drugs seized have forced traffickers involved in these activities to seek alternative routes.
Turkey has signed more than 200 documents—including the 1961 treaty and subsequent agreements—containing provisions on cooperation in the fight against drugs with 106 countries. For this reason, officials are stationed in European countries to liaise with Turkish nationals and foreign nationals from various countries residing in Turkey.The Agreement between Turkey and the European Commission on the Control of Precursor Chemicals Frequently Used in the Manufacture of Illicit Drugs entered into force on April 28, 2004. In line with our national needs and our obligations during the European Union accession process, the “National Policy and Strategy Document on Addictive Substances and the Fight Against Addiction,” covering the years 2006–2012, which entered into force on November 20, 2006. This Strategy Document envisaged the development of two separate Action Plans, each covering a three-year period. The First National Action Plan on Drugs (2007–2009) was implemented, and the Second National Action Plan (2010–2012) entered into force on November 9, 2010.
A high-level, multi-stakeholder effort has been launched in our country to combat synthetic cannabinoid-derived drugs. In line with this approach, the Emergency Action Plan and Strategy Document for the Fight Against Drugs was first prepared in 2015, followed by the National Action Plan and Strategy Document for the Fight Against Drugs covering the 2016–2018 period. Finally, the 2018–2023 National Strategy Document and Action Plan for the Fight Against Drugs was developed, outlining a roadmap for the fight against drugs through 2023 and aiming to ensure nationwide coordination.
Bahattin DEMİRAY
Vice President of the POLEM Club
