HÜDA PAR organized a comprehensive panel in Diyarbakır to confront the growing threat of drug addiction, bringing together health professionals, civil society representatives, academics, and policymakers to develop practical and long-term solutions aimed at protecting young people.

Held at the Saladin Ayyub Mosque Conference Hall, the event drew strong public interest and opened with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an by Zekeriya Fidanboy, creating a solemn atmosphere for discussions on one of Türkiye’s most pressing social challenges.

“Addiction Is a Social Wound, Not a Personal Failure”

Delivering the opening keynote, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eşref Araç, a member of Doctors Worldwide (Yeryüzü Doktorları), stressed that drug addiction should not be seen as an individual weakness but as a deep-rooted social problem.

“This panel is not just an academic exercise, it is a commitment to the future of our children and our society,” Araç said. He described addiction as “a silent scream” caused by emotional neglect, lack of guidance, and spiritual emptiness, adding that every young person lost to drugs represents a collective societal failure.

Strengthening Character and Offering Healthy Alternatives

Araç emphasized that effective rehabilitation must combine moral, psychological, and social support, calling for the expansion of constructive opportunities for young people, including academic and scientific development, sports and physical activities, artistic and cultural programs, as well as community service and volunteer work to help youths build resilience, confidence, and a sense of purpose.

He underlined that strengthening willpower and reinforcing character education must form the backbone of any national anti-drug strategy.

Alarming Warnings on the Scale of the Crisis

Panel moderator Dr. Hüseyin Gülsever delivered a stark assessment of the national situation, warning that drug addiction has reached critical levels across Türkiye.

He stated that at least one young person loses their life daily due to drug-related causes and warned that the problem has spread from major cities into rural areas and small towns. Gülsever also highlighted the growing burden on the healthcare system due to rising rehabilitation costs, emergency interventions, and low treatment success rates.

He further cautioned that substance abuse is increasingly normalized through social environments and digital platforms, putting more young people at risk.

Experts Call for Family- and Community-Based Prevention

Several experts offered multi-dimensional analyses during the panel:

İhsan Aslan, President of the Yeşilay Diyarbakır Branch, presented intervention models focused on schools, families, and neighborhood-based early warning systems.

Psychologist Sadık Sun addressed the devastating psychological and social impact of addiction on families, children, and household stability.

Researcher-writer Osman Atalay emphasized the crucial role of NGOs, religious institutions, and local community networks in both prevention and rehabilitation processes.

Political Commitment and Field-Based Action Plans

In the final session, Faruk Dinç, HÜDA PAR Youth Policies President and Mersin Member of Parliament, outlined his party’s field-based initiatives, including community outreach programs, family support mechanisms, youth mentorship projects, and awareness campaigns in schools and neighborhoods, emphasizing a proactive approach focused on prevention, early intervention, and strengthening community resilience.

Dinç stressed that their strategy prioritizes prevention and early intervention, rather than relying solely on treatment after addiction has taken hold.

Strong Call for Nationwide Cooperation

The panel concluded with a call for a nationwide mobilization against drug addiction. Participants urged stronger cooperation among families, schools, mosques, healthcare institutions, civil society organizations, and state bodies.

Speakers warned that failure to act decisively today could lead to long-term social harm and reiterated that protecting young people is a moral, social, and national responsibility.

The event ended with a joint commitment to expand awareness efforts, strengthen rehabilitation systems, and build safer, more supportive environments for Türkiye’s youth. (ILKHA)