Drug addiction continues to rise in Kurdistan. Due to ongoing special war policies, drug addiction is not only spreading but also affecting younger age groups. In response to the rising addiction rates, the Amed Metropolitan Municipality opened the Substance Addiction Counseling and Education Center in November 2024.
Speaking to ANF about the increasing drug use, Psychologist Murat Burtakuçin from the Amed Metropolitan Municipality’s Substance Addiction Counseling and Education Center said: “It has been nearly a year since the opening of the Metropolitan Municipality Substance Addiction Counseling and Education Center. Our work here primarily focuses on protective and preventive measures. We know very well about substance addiction: the most important aspect is protective and preventive work.”
Burtakuçin added: “We have programs to keep children and young people who have never been exposed to substances away from them. We have a life park program for children where we conduct workshops. We don’t work directly on drug addiction with children, but we inform them about choosing friends wisely, decision-making, and healthy living to help keep them away from substance use.
Another program targets adults. We hold psycho-education sessions for adults, aiming to raise awareness among families about substance addiction. We explain how substance use affects people, how to recognize if a child or someone close is addicted, how to get support, and the effects of each substance, creating awareness in the process.”
The impact of special war policies is significant
Burtakuçin pointed out that drug use in Kurdistan has increased due to ongoing special war policies and emphasized social responsibility: “As a result of these special war policies, what we do—or fail to do—socially is a significant factor. First, we need to think and question why young people or children get involved in substance use. Not all children in a neighborhood become addicted, so a thought-provoking question might be: Why do certain individuals become addicted?
We need to consider what our social shortcomings are and what we need to do. Responsibility falls on all of us, especially families. Young people and children who get addicted are often in search of an identity during adolescence and are trying to find a space where they can express themselves.
If we fail to build connections with young people in families, neighborhoods, or Kurdistan as a whole, we are not fulfilling their need to be heard. Unfortunately, in this case, those young people or children may turn to addiction. Building connections with young people is crucial, and this is a responsibility for all of us.”
Solidarity is the strongest tool against addiction
Highlighting the importance of support and solidarity against substance use, Murat Burtakuçin added: “As I mentioned at the beginning, building connections is very important. International research also emphasizes that forming connections is crucial in fighting addiction. In fact, what we mean by building connections is exactly solidarity itself.
When we build a connection with a young person or child involved in substance use, we can create spaces where they can fulfill themselves. This prevents them from seeking alternatives elsewhere. Families have a key responsibility here; they should make their children feel that they are not alone.
Our center doesn’t only focus on preventive and protective work; we also have treatment programs. We provide treatment for young people who have become addicted. In this way, our center supports our youth.”