The "Multidimensional Approaches to Combating Addiction Symposium," organized by Gaziantep University (GAÜN) Faculty of Law in collaboration with Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality (GBB), Yeşilay (Turkish Green Crescent Society), and the Independent Living Association (BAYDER), was held at the Mâvera Congress and Art Center.
Speaking at the opening of the symposium, Gaziantep Chief Public Prosecutor İsmail Karataş stated that the types of addiction are increasing. He noted that addiction often begins with the thought, "one time won't hurt," and emphasized that this process can lead to serious consequences. Karataş stressed the importance of young people carefully choosing their friends and social circles, highlighting the need for raising awareness among young people on this issue.
GAÜN Rector Prof. Dr. Sait Mesut Doğan, in his speech, emphasized that addiction is a multidimensional problem affecting individuals, families, and society, and highlighted the importance of strong cooperation in the fields of health, law, education, and social sciences. Stating that Gaziantep has significant potential in this struggle with its culture of inter-institutional solidarity, Doğan said that as a university, they are carrying out academic studies aimed at protecting young people, awareness activities, and various collaborations, especially with the judiciary.
Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Zehra Ünal stated that the fight against addiction is a social responsibility and drew attention to the importance of inter-institutional cooperation and awareness studies in this field.
The first session of the program, which was held in two sessions, was titled "Determination in Preventing Addiction." The session was chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. İhsan Baştürk, President of the 8th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation, while Cengiz Doğan, Member of the 8th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation, Esra Özcan, Examining Judge of the Court of Cassation, Uğur Ateş, Public Prosecutor of Gaziantep, Regaip Bostan, President of BAYDER, and Prof. Dr. Haluk Şen, President of the Yeşilay Branch, participated as speakers. Participants discussed criminal law tools in combating drug addiction, recidivism, probation practices, and solutions to prevent access to drugs.
The second session was titled "Effective Combat Against Addiction." The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Emine Koban, Dean of the GAÜN Faculty of Law. Speakers in this session included Ertan Aydın, Member of the 8th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation; Meral Manolya Akça, Examining Judge of the Court of Cassation; Assoc. Dr. Ahmet Bozdağ from Gaziantep University; and Songül Akkuş, Head of the Criminal Chamber of the Gaziantep Regional Court of Appeals. The session comprehensively evaluated drug trafficking crimes, judicial practices, and normative assessments. The program was attended by Gaziantep Deputy Governor Abdullah Şen and numerous other protocol members.
