Vital Warnings to Prevent Addiction

Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, keynote speaker of at the opening lecture of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Izmir University of Economics (IUE) for the fall semester, delivered important messages about ‘Turkey's fight against addiction’. Highlighting the significance of communication in preventing substance addiction, Prof. Dr. Atasoy warned the youth, saying, “Don't think that trying something once won't hurt, don't even consider using any substance. Remember, you can become addicted after just one use.”

The IUE Faculty of Arts and Sciences 2024-2025 Academic Year Fall Semester Opening Lecture was attended by Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Aslı Ceylan Öner and Prof. Dr. Gözde Yazgı Tütüncü, along with many academics, educators, and students. The conference hall was filled with students who listened attentively to Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, Vice Rector of Usküdar University and Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine, as she delivered her presentation on ‘Turkey's fight against addiction’.

KNOW HOW TO SAY ‘NO’

Sharing her knowledge and experiences in the fight against addiction, Prof. Dr. Atasoy said, “University life is a time when you will collect the most beautiful memories. University will shape what you will become and your future successes. First and foremost, you need to take great care of your physical health. One day, you might hesitate to say ‘no’ to a substance offered to you, or you may think that trying it once won’t hurt. But don’t ever do this. Because trying it even once can lead to very bad outcomes. You can become addicted after just one use. Therefore, you must never try it and know how to say ‘no’. The best thing you can do when faced with such a situation is to talk to someone close to you. There are many important professionals at this University who will lend you a helping hand and listen to you. Don't hesitate to seek help from these people, because both your physical and mental health are crucial to your success.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY

Prof. Dr. Atasoy emphasized the significant role of family in preventing substance addiction, she explaining what needs to be done. Prof. Dr. Atasoy said, “Family members should sit together at the dinner table every evening. Everyone should share what they experienced that day. No one should say things like ‘You failed, you can’t do it’. As long as we can share the good and bad without criticism around the same table, we will avoid these problems.”

CAUTION ON MEDICATION USAGE

Pointing out that the misuse of certain medications can also lead to addiction, Prof. Dr. Atasoy said, “Prescription medications should only be taken at the dosage and time specified by the doctor. Not only do we start using these medications ourselves, but we also begin sharing them with friends. This can lead to addiction. Therefore, medications related to attention deficit, depression, and insomnia should not be used without medical supervision. If they are, they can cause addiction. We must act consciously to prevent this.”

CREATIVE AND TRANSFORMATIVE SOLUTIONS

Prof. Dr. Neslihan Yetkiner, Dean of IUE Faculty of Arts and Sciences, emphasized that the University’s vision for the new semester is to create “creative and transformative solutions for a sustainable life,” saying, “As we all know, sustainability consists of three main dimensions: economic, environmental, and social components. The global call for action in the fight against addiction has been framed by the United Nations’ ‘2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. This agenda includes goals related to health and well-being. One of these goals, the third one focuses on the treatment and prevention of addiction. As guiding social institutions, universities face a moral responsibility to make the right choices for a sustainable world in the context of changing global conditions. Our goal is to raise awareness about addiction, one of the social components of a sustainable life, with the participation of all stakeholders at our faculty.” Prof. Dr. Yetkiner concluded her remarks by thanking Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy for her contributions.