Dr. Sema İçel, Coordinator of the GISTU Anti-Addiction Office, emphasized that the age of substance addiction in Türkiye has decreased to 10-11 years in recent years, stressing the importance of awareness as a momentary curiosity can haunt an individual for a lifetime.
The seminar, organized by the GISTU Anti-Addiction Office Coordination and the Health, Culture and Sports Department under the Narko Youth Education Activities, started with the Departments of Midwifery, Physiotherapy, and Rehabilitation of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
The seminar was attended by Dr. Sema İçel, academic and administrative staff, and students.
The Best Way to Protect Against Substance Addiction is Never to Start
Dr. Sema İçel highlighted in her opening speech, “Drug addiction, which disrupts the physical and mental health of the individual, family, and social harmony, is a psychiatric disorder that negatively affects the entire family and society. The process leading to drug addiction starts with the first intake of the substance.”
İçel concluded her speech by saying, “I would like to thank our Rector Prof. Dr. Şehmus Demir, Yılmaz Ulusoy, and Kübra Çetinkaya from the Gaziantep Police Department Narcotics Crime Fighting Branch for their valuable contributions, and all the participants and dear students. The best way to protect against substance addiction is never to start.”
Yılmaz Ulusoy from the Gaziantep Police Department Narcotics Crime Fighting Branch also emphasized the importance of fighting narcotics crimes, presenting on reasons for starting drug use, signs of substance use, and what needs to be known to detect addiction early. Ulusoy provided information about the legal status of drug use, the UYUMA (Fighting Drugs Mobile Application) app, ways to fight drugs, and professional support centers, stressing that a drug-free society is our collective responsibility.
The seminars on fighting drug and stimulant addiction will continue to be provided to all students of our university in the coming days.