Minister: Deepening poverty leads to increasing drug addiction

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Health Minister Fahrettin Koca responded to a question by the Republican People's Party (CHP) İzmir MP Özcan Purçu about drug addiction in İzmir.

In his response, the Minister said, "Deepening poverty, increasing unemployment and dropping out of school, especially in certain districts of İzmir, are causing increasing tendency of drug addiction, the observations show.

"It is therefore forecast that the number of AMATEM and CEMATEM centers should be increased and the physical capacities and human resources of the existing ones should be developed."

2119 applications to single hospital in 6 months

Purçu, CHP MP from the western city of İzmir, asked Health Minister Koca a written question on AMATEM, ÇEMATEM centers in İzmir, the inpatient bed availability in these centers, and the numbers of outpatients and inpatients.

The response by the Minister of Health was as follows:

"The Inpatient Adult Drug Addiction Center (AMATEM) of İzmir Atatürk Hospital has 26 inpatient beds and gives service with a total of 30 personnel since 2006.

"The number of patients that applied to the AMATEM center of İzmir Atatürk Hospital in the first six months of 2022 is 2119. The center has 15 inpatient beds, it gives services since 2015 and employs 19 personnel.

"The number of inpatient children that received treatment in this ÇEMATEM in the first 6 months of 2022 was 49 and the number of outpatient children was 142.

"Unfortunately the figures confirmed us"

Purçu issued a written statement on the response of Minister Koca where he said the response received was the biggest proof that the situation in İzmir was deplorable.

He said, "We tour the streets of İzmir inch by inch and we always emphasize the increasing drug use and sale in front of the schools and in neighborhoods. Unfortunately, the figures confirmed us. The Minister stated the number of patients that received treatment in AMATEM only in January is 794. And 12 received treatment as inpatients.

"It is stated that 12 people received treatment in only one month but the total inpatient bed availability in İzmir is 29. You cannot fight substance or drug addiction with insufficient bed capacity and insufficient personnel.

"And it cannot be only the AMATEM to provide a lasting solution. There should be support from the state not only in treatment but also in the rehabilitation stage.

However, unfortunately, the government has failed in this field as well. 90 percent of the children coming out of these centers are returning to using or selling drugs on the streets again since they do not get the necessary rehabilitation. (AS/PE)