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The leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the presidential candidate of the Nation Alliance, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, addressed the issue of drug addiction during a speech at a rally in Adana, southern Turkey, ahead of Sunday's presidential runoff vote.

"We need to fight against this plague," Kılıçdaroğlu said, adding, "When this plague enters a home, peace is disrupted. I have a promise to the people. I want peace and abundance in every home. If drug use is widespread in a city, nobody can walk the streets."

"Turkey has become the center for all drugs, especially in the past 10 years. How is it possible to bring drugs from Afghanistan? How are these borders crossed? Resolving the issues of these impoverished families is my duty.

"I want to emphasize that this is a political choice. If the political authorities say, 'stop this drug issue,' give the police the authority and let politicians keep their hands off, they can grab all drug lords by the ear and bring them before a judge.

"İstanbul is a place where drug lords freely roam! They are so confident that they say 'nobody can touch us.' They even release drug lords who have been imprisoned. You should not vote for those who have plunged the country into this quagmire if you care about your peace. You should never vote for those who do not fight against these drug lords."

Drug trafficking in Turkey

Turkey has been grappling with increased illegal drug use and trade over the past few years. Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu disclosed in April that the number of individuals imprisoned for drug-related offenses has surged from 36,000 to over 126,000 since mid-2016. This means drug offenses now account for one-third of Turkey's prison population.

In November last year, Kılıçdaroğlu raised concerns about Turkey transforming into a "meth production center." He attributed this alarming development to the government's desperate pursuit of foreign currency inflows in order to reduce the current account deficit, inadvertently attracting notorious "drug barons" to the country.

While Turkey has served as a transit country for methamphetamine trafficking, official figures reveal a significant surge in domestic consumption as well.

The Police Counter Narcotics Department reported a notable increase in methamphetamine seizures, rising from 1,042 kilograms in 2019 to a staggering 5,528 kilograms in 2021.

In a report released by the United Nations in early 2023, Turkey's role as a hub for large-scale cocaine trafficking and substance use was also highlighted. One striking example was the interception by Colombia's narcotics police of a Turkey-bound ship carrying a colossal five tons of cocaine in 2020. (AS/VK)