Citation

İlhan MN. Turk. J. Occup. Envir. Med. Saf. 2017; 2(1): e85.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Engin TUTKUN; Bozok Üniversitesi)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

The National Strategy Document on Drugs and Emergency Action Plan started with the contributions of all the relevant institutions within the year of 2014 was prepared and after that in accordance with the Prime Ministry Notice entitled Fight Against Drugs published within this scope, the committees for Fight Against Drugs were established (under the presidency of Deputy Prime Minister and with the help of Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labor and Social Security, Ministry of Family and Social Policies, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Customs and Trade, Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ministry of National Education), 1. Fight Against Drugs Council composed of 15 workshops was carried out, and the final reports of the Council was evaluated and the works of National Strategy Document on Drugs and Emergency Action Plan were shaped (National Strategy Document on Fight Against Drugs, 2015). "National Strategy Document on Fight Against Drugs" and "Emergency Action Plan on Fight Against Drugs", the preparatory works of which were started in 2014, were discussed and approved in the meeting of the High Council of Fight Against Drugs dated 20.01.2015, and brought into force. Drug Prevalance According to the TUBİM GPS Survey, lifetime usage frequency of use of cannabis as the most commonly used illegal substance in Turkey in the 15-64 age group, is found as 0.7%. While the usage in the last 12 months has been identified as % 0.3, it has been identified as 0.2% for the last month.  According to the TUBİM GPS Survey, lifetime usage frequency of stimulants use is in Turkey in the 15-64 age group, is found as 0.1%. According to the TUBİM GPS Survey, lifetime usage frequency of cannabis use in Turkey in the 15-64 age group, is found as 0.02%, and in the age group of 15-34 as 0,05%. Since the first synthetic cannabinoids was captured in 2011, there has been an increase both in the amount captured and in the number of applications for treatment. The synthetic cannabinoid users that ranked in the second highest among the persons applying for treatment according to the application intensity compose of 15,81% of the treatment applicants in 2014.  Furthermore, it is observed that the synthetic cannabinoid users applied for treatment (1681) in 2014 is 3,30 times higher than the previous year.   Prevention Fights against use of drugs have aspects within the scope of the responsibility of diverse institutions.  The prevention activities carried out in Turkey basically depends on the provision of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey stipulating that "The State takes the necessary measures in order to protect the youth from addiction to alcohol, drugs, criminality, gambling and similar bad habits and from illiteracy.  It is observed that most of the prevention activities are seminars, theatres, banner-brochure works or media programs that explain the damages caused by the drugs and the consequences of drug use. The preventive activities basically target the youngsters between the age of 15-24, the age when most drug uses start, as well as families, teachers, public officials and non-governmental organizations.  Treatment The number of treatment centres which was 26 in 2013 reached 32 in 2014. A standard form was used for treatment data collection. These forms were completed by data entry officers at the treatment centers according to the patients' medical records. Duplicate cases were removed, and 7,265 patients were recorded in 2013. Out of 7,265 patients, 2,707 individuals (37.26%) reported that they used drugs by means of injection at least once in their lives. 2,204 people (30.34%) stated that they injected drugs within the last 30 days. Nearly all those who reported intravenous drug use within the last 30 days (2,201 people) preferred opiates. One person with benzodiazepine use reported injection within the last 30 days before the treatment. The most prevalent substance among opiates was heroin (2,155 people). Drug Market and Crime In accordance with the relevant articles of the Turkish Penal Code regulating drug offenses; Cannabis drug offenses remains in the first place among the other types of substances because of investigation by the law enforcement bodies of most cannabis on drug charges. The project named as "Narkotim" and motorized groups has started to implement on 11 provinces in order to fight against dealers more affectively in Turkey. The main aim of project is to protect the people from dealers and prevent drug reaching to public. In consequence of pilot application, successful results have been obtained in a short time. In 2013, 98,933 drug-related cases occurred throughout Turkey, and 148,121 suspects were arrested in relation to these cases. When the crime-related distribution of all 148,121 suspects arrested in Turkey in 2013 is analyzed, it is clear that 112,505 suspects (75.95%) were arrested for the purchase/acceptance/possession of drugs with the intent to use (article 191 of TPC); 31,183 suspects (21.05%) for the production and trade of drugs (Article 188 of the TPC); five suspects for facilitating the use of drugs (Article 190 of the TPC); 4,407 suspects (2.98%) for the violation of the Law on the Supervision of Drugs No.2313; and 21 suspects (0.01%) for violation of the Law on Drugs No.3298.

Language: en