Health Minister Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu participated in the “Panel on a Resolute State and a Safe Turkey in the Fight Against Drugs,” organized by the Presidency’s Communications Directorate.
Health Minister Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu participated in the “Panel on a Resolute State and a Safe Turkey in the Fight Against Drugs,” organized by the Presidency’s Communications Directorate, on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
In his opening remarks at the panel, Health Minister Memişoğlu stated that addiction is a serious disease that threatens human health in many ways. Minister Memişoğlu emphasized that addiction weakens an individual’s willpower, distances the person from social responsibilities, and leads to permanent health problems over time.
Health Minister Memişoğlu noted that the effects of drugs and other forms of addiction are not limited to individuals alone, stating, “They lead to social problems in many areas, from security to health, and from the economy to justice. “For this reason, combating addiction requires a multi-layered and comprehensive approach,” he said.
Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu, noting that efforts to combat addiction are being resolutely continued under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and in collaboration with all state institutions, stated that “the 2024–2028 National Strategy Document and Action Plan for Combating Drug Abuse” stated that all types of addiction are being comprehensively addressed.
Minister Memişoğlu, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health, stated that the ministry does not view its responsibilities in the fight against addiction as limited to diagnosis and treatment alone, and emphasized that preventive and protective health services are at the heart of its policies. Minister Kemal Memişoğlu noted that awareness, guidance, and healthy living programs targeting all segments of society—especially children and young people—form the foundation of this fight.
Health Minister Memişoğlu, who also provided information on the treatment and rehabilitation infrastructure, noted that services are currently provided at a total of 143 AMATEM and ÇEMATEM facilities in Turkey—64 of which are inpatient and 79 outpatient—with a total bed capacity of 1,582. Minister Memişoğlu stated that support and counseling services continue to be provided at 188 Community Mental Health Centers and BAHAR (Rehabilitation Centers for Addicted Patients) units.
Highlighting that the Sancaktepe Healthy Living Village project, launched under the patronage of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, serves as an important model in the fight against addiction, Health Minister Memişoğlu stated that at this 200-bed facility, treatment, detoxification, and rehabilitation processes are integrated under one roof and addressed through a holistic approach. Minister Memişoğlu noted that the Healthy Living Village project aims not only to provide treatment but also to reintegrate individuals who have overcome substance abuse into society through the facility’s therapy gardens, swimming pool, living villas, library, and vocational development workshops.
Addressing the issue of combating tobacco addiction, Health Minister Memişoğlu noted that, with the goal of a tobacco-free and smoke-free Turkey, they had increased the number of smoking cessation clinics from 467 to over 1,250 in the past year. Minister Memişoğlu reminded the public that free counseling services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, through the “ALO 171 Smoking Cessation Helpline” and the “ALO 191 Drug Abuse Prevention and Support Helpline.”
Emphasizing that they have adopted a “zero-tolerance” approach toward any form of communication that encourages addiction, Health Minister Memişoğlu highlighted the importance of an accurate, responsible, and people-centered approach to communication across all platforms, particularly on social media. Kemal Memişoğlu stated that the Ministry of Health is collaborating with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Presidency’s Communications Directorate, and the Information and Communications Technologies Authority to combat misleading content that encourages addiction on digital media platforms.
At the conclusion of his speech, Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu, referring to the “Healthy Turkey Century” vision, stated that “Health That Protects, Develops, and Produces” policies would be resolutely pursued in line with the goal of building a strong society composed of healthy individuals.
