Ahead of a major panel on drug addiction, HÜDA PAR Youth Branch Chairman Murat Günaydın has described drug use as a “global threat” and a “poisonous vortex” that is rapidly swallowing Turkey’s young people and pushing society toward chaos.

Speaking to Ilke News Agency (ILKHA), Günaydın described drug abuse as a multi-dimensional crisis that threatens not just individuals but the very foundations of society.

The panel, organized by the HÜDA PAR Youth Policies Directorate and hosted at the Saladin Ayyub Mosque Conference Hall in Diyarbakır, aims to bring together experts, community leaders, and young people to address what the party views as one of the most pressing social challenges of the era.

“Drug Addiction Is a Deepening National Crisis”

Günaydın stressed that substance addiction must be understood as far more than a medical concern. He said the crisis has grown so widespread that it now endangers social cohesion, family structures, and the moral fabric of communities.

“Drug and substance addiction has become a societal wound,” he said. “This poisonous vortex is swallowing more of our youth every day, destroying families and pushing communities to the brink. If we do not confront its moral, psychological, and social dimensions, we will lose even more young people.”

Günaydın pointed out that drug addiction is no longer limited to major cities or impoverished neighborhoods. Its reach has expanded across all sectors of society, affecting young people from diverse backgrounds and age groups.

Startling Data: 427 Deaths in Türkiye, Tens of Thousands Affected Worldwide

The HÜDA PAR youth leader cited recent data showing the global nature of the crisis. According to 2021 figures, one in every 17 people worldwide has been exposed to at least one narcotic substance—an unprecedented level of consumption and risk.

“In Türkiye alone, 427 of our citizens died due to drug use last year,” he said. “The tragic part is that 160 of them were under the age of 30. Even more heartbreaking is that some victims were under 18. These are children whose futures were stolen.”

Günaydın warned that these numbers reflect only the visible part of the problem. Behind each death, he said, lies a broader web of family trauma, psychological damage, and community destabilization.

“This Is a Global Threat. The Fight Must Be Collective and Comprehensive”

According to Günaydın, the global spread of narcotics and synthetic drugs—often produced and trafficked through international criminal networks—makes addiction not only a local issue but a geopolitical one. He described drugs as a “global weapon” that destroys nations from within.

He stressed that no single institution can solve the crisis on its own.

“This issue cannot be addressed solely by police operations or legal penalties,” he said. “Yes, security measures are important, but they are not enough. We must tackle moral decay, family breakdown, and psychological distress. Civil society, families, political parties, and government bodies must unite in a coordinated struggle.”

Günaydın outlined a multidimensional approach that includes community-based prevention programs, early psychological intervention, youth engagement activities, and stronger support systems for families.

HÜDA PAR Intensifies Its Nationwide Awareness Campaign

The upcoming Diyarbakır panel is part of a broader initiative launched by HÜDA PAR to combat the rising threat of drug addiction. The party previously held a panel in Ankara, after which it prepared a detailed report and submitted it to relevant ministries and stakeholders.

“Our aim is to contribute to meaningful solutions,” Günaydın said. “We do not want this campaign to remain symbolic. After Diyarbakır, we plan to organize a panel in Adana and ultimately host a comprehensive workshop in Istanbul. Our goal is to create a long-term roadmap.”

A Call to Young People: “Join Us, Be Part of the Solution”

Günaydın concluded with an open invitation to young people across Diyarbakır and the surrounding region.

“We invite all our young brothers and sisters to join the panel,” he said. “Let them come, listen, engage, and take the solutions they learn back to their communities. Awareness is the first step, and together we can build a stronger shield against this devastating threat.”

The panel on December 7 is expected to draw significant participation from youth groups, educators, religious leaders, and civil society organizations, marking a renewed push to confront one of the most urgent social issues facing Türkiye today. (ILKHA)