Minister: Türkiye's drug use rate at 3.1 percent

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While attending a workshop against addiction held at the Polis Museum in Adana, Interior Minister Soylu shed light on Türkiye's drug habits and confiscations.

According to the Minister, 1,107 drug gangs have been dismantled since 2017. and 5,500 to 6,000 people have been detained. An increase from previous 2,500-3,000 arrest.

The Minister also addressed that Adana, for the first time with the support of universities and the Green Crescent, was able to conduct research wastewater analysis, which enables them to evaluate the amount and types of drugs being used.

270 deaths from drugs last year

Soylu shared some figures about the issue:

• 47 to 48 percent of addicts use drugs at home.
• Of the more than 120,000 derelict buildings where drugs were used, 88 thousand were demolished, more than 17 thousand historic buildings were restored, and over 14 thousand buildings will be demolished.
• Direct deaths from drug use fell from 941 in 2017 to 270 last year. Although data is 3 to 4 months behind, direct deaths related to drug use were 8 percent lower than last year, with 146 people losing their lives due to drug use this year.
• Heroin seizures in Türkiye, which were around 5-6 tons per year in the past, increased to around 20-22 tons as the heroin route moved more toward the Mediterranean.
• Türkiye compared to the rest of Europe, has a low death rate related to drugs, with only 4,7 per million deaths resulting from drug use. In Europe, the average is around 3 times as high, with 16,7 per million deaths.
• The rate of drug use is 5.6 percent worldwide, 29 percent in Europe, and 3.1 percent in Türkiye.
• Interior Minister Soylu added that Türkiye is facing challenges when it comes to methamphetamine and that a law amendment is in the making. (AS/WM/VK)