President Erdoğan delivered a speech at the 2nd International Symposium on Drug Policy and Public Health, organized by the Green Crescent.

President Erdoğan noted that the Green Crescent, which was established a century ago during the occupation years in order to fight against alcohol and substance addiction that was promoted by the occupying forces, now has become a global trademark.

"The Green Crescent grows bigger with every passing day with its 107 branches within Turkey and its offshoots in 41 countries across the world and it continues to gain prestige and recognition in the international arena," he added.

"It is essential to eliminate the underlying climate that allows bad habits to take root"

Stating that criminal measures, social rehabilitation programs, treatment services are important and must be done in the best way possible President Erdoğan continued: "However, what truly matters is to eliminate the underlying climate that allows bad habits to take root."

"And it can only be done through education, culture and conveying our civilizational values to new generations and the entire society in the best way possible," President Erdoğan said.

Underscoring that fighting against addictive substances also means fighting the resources that feed terrorism, President Erdoğan said: "Where there is no terrorist organization, organized crime groups assume the same function."

"In our eyes, there is no difference between them. One of the most important outcomes of the progress Turkiye has made in recent years in the fight against terror is that it has dealt great blows to all kinds of drug trade whether it be transit or consumption-oriented."

Turkiye’s success in the fight against tobacco products

Stating that Turkiye has achieved success on a global scale in the fight against tobacco products, President Erdoğan noted that Turkiye now conducts a similar program in the fight against drugs and alcohol.

"We are bolstering the physical security of our schools, a major target of drug dealers, with the help of both personnel and technology. Also, we are developing programs in order to raise awareness among all relevant parties, including our administrators, teachers, and students. We are also conducting a relentless fight against criminals."

"We act as uncompromisingly against drug dealers who steal our children’s health as we do against terrorist organizations who send young people to death. In our eyes, there is no difference between giving young people guns and handing them drugs. Today, Turkiye is one of the countries, which enforces the heaviest penalties against the drug trade," President Erdoğan said.

ILKHA