‘Turkey Is Successful in the Fight Against Addiction’

The Turkish Green Crescent Society has reached millions of students and parents through its educational programs conducted as part of its fight against addictions.

The Turkey AddictionPrevention Education Program, launched to combat addictionssuch as tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and technology, has yielded successful results.

As part of the program, various educational activities were carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, the Turkish Armed Forces, the Presidency of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services, and universities.

Ismail Memiş, the Youth Coordinator of the Turkish Green Crescent Society , told an AA reporter that the Turkish Addiction Prevention Education Program has yielded successful results in the fight against addiction.

Memiş, noting that they have prepared educational materials on tobacco, alcohol, substance, and technology addictions for all age groups, said, “These educational materials were shared with the Ministry of National Education, the Turkish Armed Forces, the Presidency of Religious Affairs, and the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services. “According to figures provided by the Ministry of National Education, addiction prevention materials have been distributed to 13 million students and 4 million parents in Turkey,” he said.

– “The fight against addiction begins at home”

Memiş, who stated that the training sessions covered the fight against addiction, noted the following:

“We began these training sessions at universities. We are trying to illustrate, through the examples of young Yeşilay members, just how freely one can choose an independent life and how valuable it is to possess that will. It is extremely valuable for young people to take part in this struggle and serve as role models. We are committed to increasing the number of young Yeşilay members. Thanks to the efforts of these young Yeşilay members, Turkey is achieving successful results in the fight against addiction.”

We must reinforce a very serious awareness of substance abuse and make it a priority for families. Because, unfortunately, the less parents know about this issue—and the more they lack information—the greater the risk that their children will become addicted. When families are informed about this issue, they can prevent at least 50 percent of their children from becoming addicted. The fight against addiction begins at home.”

Memiş noted that families can access the most practical information on addiction at “tbm.org.tr” and explained that they are conducting initiatives to encourage parents to visit these channels and websites.

– “Serving young people since 1920”

Mahmut Esat Arar, a member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Green Crescent Society and the Chairman of the Young Green Crescent Commission, also stated that the Green Crescent was founded in 1920 to serve young people.

Esat, noting that the organization’s primary goal since its founding has been to organize young people and protect them from addiction so that they can serve their country and nation, continued as follows:

“We are currently reaching out to young people through Yeşilay clubs at 110 universities, working to keep them away from addictions through various activities. We also have initiatives aimed at high school students. We will be launching programs in high schools as soon as possible, just as we have done at universities. Our young people need to be kept engaged. In this day and age, they are influenced by the media, movies, and theater, which can lead them to fall into the clutches of certain addictions. If no measures are taken, technology and substance addiction, in particular, could reach serious proportions. We stand by our young people in this fight.”