Topic: 2024-Substance Abuse
Country: Turkey
Delegate Name: Fionnoula Walsh
Substance abuse is a grave issue facing the world today. It is defined as the excessive use of legal or illegal drugs and alcohol. It has varying patterns in every region that depend on cultural, economic, and political circumstances. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Health Organization have worked around the clock in an attempt to aid the issue. For example, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) was created by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which oversees international drug control treaties. Furthermore, UNODC has created an annual World Drug Report that provides an account of the development of the worldwide drug crisis, from a global perspective.
The delegation of Türkiye believes that it plays a major influence in the battle against the illegal drug trafficking crisis. Turkey has supported all previous resolutions that the UN has passed with respect to drug control. It has also enforced Article 17 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which declares that all drug traffickers must be extradited for prosecution in their home country. Additionally, Türkiye is concerned regarding incoming Syrian refugees and a potential increase in illicit drug trafficking that may stem from the refugee crisis. This is of concern to the Turkish government because refugees may turn to substances to cope with the inability of infrastructure to support them. A further concern is the overall security of the nation and the possible smuggling of illegal substances through their borders.
One potential solution to the issue of substance abuse around all regions of the world is an increase in border security. This could include advanced technology around high pedestrian areas, such as surveillance cameras, radar systems, and ground sensors. An improvement in border security in all countries can aid the global issue of drug trafficking, in turn improving the topic of substance abuse. Moreover, wider access to rehabilitation could decrease the rate of drug abuse. 1 in 17 people aged 15-64 have used a drug in the past 12 months, so offering affordable, easy-access therapy/rehabilitation could decrease substance abuse globally.
Works Cited
Johnson, Kimberly, et al. “The Global Movement towards a Public Health Approach to Substance Use Disorders.” Annals of Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2022, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9262358/.
“Türkiye’s Efforts Against The Drug Problem.” Türkiye’s Efforts against the Drug Problem / Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Türkiye, www.mfa.gov.tr/turkiye_s-efforts-against-the-drug-problem.en.mfa. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AGAINST ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES, United Nations,
