Substance abuse is a global problem that threatens humanity. Unfortunately, this problem has begun to reveal its grim reality in our country with increasing frequency. Not a day goes by without us receiving tragic news from some corner of our country… We are facing a major crisis; our streets, our families, our health, our safety, and our future are all under threat.
The alarm bells are ringing for all of us. The threat is not far away—it’s right beside us, at our doorstep. This is not just a problem for those who have become addicted or their loved ones; it is a problem for our entire country. Nor is it a problem that can be tolerated, postponed, or put off. Given its social, psychological, economic, and even national security dimensions, it is imperative that we roll up our sleeves and urgently seek a solution. The path to peaceful families, a happy society, and a strong country lies in raising healthy generations. To achieve this, we must tackle substance abuse head-on and find a cure for this wound.
Combating substance abuse is a humanitarian and national duty. We all bear the responsibility for the young people to whom we will entrust the future. None of us has the luxury of shirking this responsibility. It is with these feelings and thoughts in mind that we, together with our colleagues from various professional backgrounds, founded the International Association for the Fight Against Substance Abuse (UMUDDER). We wanted to do our part. For the sake of our country’s future, we, too, want to do our share.
As our President has pointed out, there is a reality that no one can dispute: this problem is eroding our spiritual values and human values, and threatening our future. It is our duty to wage a comprehensive struggle in the spirit of “social mobilization,” as our President has said.
UMUDDER, as its name suggests, is an association with an international mission. We set out with the goal of waging an effective, lasting, and sustainable fight against substance abuse within both national and international frameworks. While addressing the issue of substance abuse in all its dimensions, we are launching our initiative with the goal of establishing an active presence and a strong organizational structure throughout the country and even abroad, driven by our belief that this will contribute to finding a solution.
Substance abuse can only be tackled through a multidimensional and long-term effort. We are well aware that our task is by no means easy. First and foremost, this struggle requires a genuine commitment, as well as maintaining communication with government agencies, civil society organizations, and all parties involved in both the problem and its solution. Fully aware of all these challenges, we are setting out on this journey as volunteers. It is enough for us to know that every effort we make and every drop of sweat we shed is for the future of humanity and our country. We are taking the first step, and we are waiting for fellow travelers who will support us in this struggle. Let us not forget that even a marathon begins with a single step. We can achieve success in this struggle only through a spirit of total mobilization.
Halit ERYİĞİT, President of the
Association
