Turkey to draw up drug-use map

ANKARA

As part of an action plan in the fight against drugs, a number of 'narco-teams' composed of civilian or uniformed officials will take action near places deemed to be at high risk, such as schools. AA Photo

A “drug-use map” is set to be drawn up by the Turkish government, as part of its strategy to combat drugs, with “narco-teams” apparently set to play a significant role in this action plan.

“We have to draw a map of Turkey in terms of drug use, drug traffic, and measures for rehabilitation,” Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said, speaking at the 1st Council Meeting for Combating Drugs on Nov. 28.

“There will be protective, preventive and security measures, along with efforts regarding rehabilitation,” Davutoğlu added, noting that the government will first plot a drug map of Turkey and then handle the preventative phase, with the aim of arousing interest in all sectors of society toward the drug problem.

The figures in Turkey for the percentage of the population between the ages of 15-24 who have used drugs is relatively low compared to Europe, he said, while also warning of problems in the future unless measures are taken and a serious strategy is adopted.

Davutoğlu said the ratio of people who have tried drugs at least once is 2.7 percent in Turkey, but nearly 29 percent in Europe. “As we previously stressed in the recent security reform bill, we consider drug dealers to be the same as the most dangerous terrorists,” he added.

As part of an action plan in the fight against drugs, a number of “narco-teams” composed of civilian or uniformed officials will take action near places deemed to be at high risk, such as schools.