Turkey declares achievements in anti-drug battle
ISTANBUL, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Turkey held numerous events across the
country on Tuesday to mark the international anti-drug day and to
demonstrate its achievements in the battle against drugs.
The Turkish government claimed that it seized nearly 47 tons of marijuana last year, 50 percent higher than the previous year. The amount of heroin captured was 6.5 tons.
In seminars and meetings held on Tuesday, experts and officials stressed the importance of enhancing action and cooperation against drug abuse and trafficking, and gave information on how illicit drugs can harm public health, safety and the well-being of people, particularly youths, as well as national security.
Kemal Baykara, a representative of Struggle Against Drug Abuse Association, said in a presser in the central Anatolian city of Afyon that drugs are produced in some underdeveloped countries and sold to developed countries, and some countries are playing a transit role for the smugglers.
He warned young people to stay away from tobacco and alcohol. " They are the first steps of drug addiction."
Every June 26 since 1987, the United Nations observes the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to raise awareness of harm of drug addiction.
Like many countries, Turkey is hastening its war against drug abuse and illicit trafficking by taking strong preventive measures and raising awareness of the adverse effects of narcotics. Located in the middle of the transit route for drug traffickers, Turkey is working hard to prevent heroin from Afghan to be smuggled to Western Europe.
According to official statistics, like other places around the world, use of marijuana in Turkey is increasing very quickly, and the number of people applying for drug addiction treatment is multiplying every day and reached 2,900 in 2010.
The police said the use of methamphetamine, which is known as one of the most dangerous drugs, has been augmenting 100 percent since 2009.
Another issue in Turkey that makes its war against drug smuggling even more essential is terrorism, as drug smuggling is the main source of income for terror organizations in the country and it can fuel other terror activities and crimes such as human trafficking and weapon smuggling.
The Turkish police stated that militants of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) are playing an active role in every step of drug trade and are acquiring a significant amount of money from the market.
According to a police report, about 4,000 kg heroin was seized in nearly 60 PKK hideouts, and as a result of police operations against the terror organizations, the income generated from drug smuggling has been cut significantly.
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-06/27/c_131677784.htm
The Turkish government claimed that it seized nearly 47 tons of marijuana last year, 50 percent higher than the previous year. The amount of heroin captured was 6.5 tons.
In seminars and meetings held on Tuesday, experts and officials stressed the importance of enhancing action and cooperation against drug abuse and trafficking, and gave information on how illicit drugs can harm public health, safety and the well-being of people, particularly youths, as well as national security.
Kemal Baykara, a representative of Struggle Against Drug Abuse Association, said in a presser in the central Anatolian city of Afyon that drugs are produced in some underdeveloped countries and sold to developed countries, and some countries are playing a transit role for the smugglers.
He warned young people to stay away from tobacco and alcohol. " They are the first steps of drug addiction."
Every June 26 since 1987, the United Nations observes the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to raise awareness of harm of drug addiction.
Like many countries, Turkey is hastening its war against drug abuse and illicit trafficking by taking strong preventive measures and raising awareness of the adverse effects of narcotics. Located in the middle of the transit route for drug traffickers, Turkey is working hard to prevent heroin from Afghan to be smuggled to Western Europe.
According to official statistics, like other places around the world, use of marijuana in Turkey is increasing very quickly, and the number of people applying for drug addiction treatment is multiplying every day and reached 2,900 in 2010.
The police said the use of methamphetamine, which is known as one of the most dangerous drugs, has been augmenting 100 percent since 2009.
Another issue in Turkey that makes its war against drug smuggling even more essential is terrorism, as drug smuggling is the main source of income for terror organizations in the country and it can fuel other terror activities and crimes such as human trafficking and weapon smuggling.
The Turkish police stated that militants of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) are playing an active role in every step of drug trade and are acquiring a significant amount of money from the market.
According to a police report, about 4,000 kg heroin was seized in nearly 60 PKK hideouts, and as a result of police operations against the terror organizations, the income generated from drug smuggling has been cut significantly.
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-06/27/c_131677784.htm
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