At a meeting held on 10 September under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, the government of Turkey announced a new initiative to tackle addiction to gambling, the internet, smartphones and video games. The session was attended by high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Health, Kemal Memişoğlu, the Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, the Minister of the Interior, Ali Yerlikaya, the Minister of Education, Yusuf Tekin, the Head of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Erol Özvar, and the President of the Supreme Council of Radio and Television (RTÜK), Ebubekir Şahin.
In addition to these names, representatives of various ministerial subunits involved in the fight against addiction participated in the meeting. Vice President Yılmaz pointed out that in addition to the already known problems such as drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, gambling and digital addictions have emerged as critical threats that require priority attention.
Another point discussed at the meeting was the revision of the current legislation related to the fight against addiction, with the aim of increasing the academic contribution in this effort, in cooperation with universities. In addition, the Ministry of Health announced that it will launch a new communication campaign to combat tobacco use.
During the meeting, Yılmaz also highlighted the approval of a new curriculum by the Ministry of Education, which aims to increase awareness and prevention of addiction among students, teachers, and parents. This curriculum will be implemented gradually starting in the next school year, initially in preschool, first year, fifth year and first year of high school classes.
“We will also expand access to treatments that will support our generations with policies to protect against all types of addiction,” said Yılmaz, highlighting the importance of collaboration between state institutions, non-governmental organizations, families, educational institutions and the health sector.
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