In accordance with the "Fighting Against Addiction" circular issued by the Presidency, numerous institutions and organizations convened at Atatürk University to contribute to the discourse surrounding "Fighting Addiction (Alcohol, Tobacco, Substance, and Behavioral Addictions)" in preparation for the 2024 research endeavors to be conducted in Erzurum.
During the programs coordinated by the Atatürk University Psychological Counseling and Guidance Application and Research Center and held at the Atatürk University 15 July National Will Hall from February 6-7, authoritative presentations on the battle against addiction were delivered by professionals from various provincial agencies and departments, including the Provincial Health Directorate, Green Crescent, Provincial Police Department Narcotics Branch, Provincial Gendarmerie Command Narcotics Branch, and Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services.
Over the course of two days, the specialists addressed academic and administrative personnel with distinct presentations on substance, alcohol, nicotine, and behavioral addictions. During the presentations, professionals deliberated on the possibility that some young audience-appealing students at Atatürk University may be afflicted with a variety of addictions. They also shared their insights on the symptoms of these addictions, strategies for avoiding and overcoming them, and living a healthy lifestyle.
During his address at the program's inauguration, Assist. Prof. Dr. İsmail Ay, representing the Psychological Counseling and Guidance Application and Research Center, asserted that the institution conducts research aimed at preventing students from succumbing to diverse addictions. He further underscored the significance of endeavors undertaken as part of social awareness initiatives.
 Ay stated, "Historically, when one considered addiction, only alcohol, tobacco, and substance addiction came to mind." Presently, there has been an expansion in the scope of this matter to encompass addictions, specifically behavioral addictions; it has been resolved to address each of these with the circular. Research indicates that, as in the rest of the world, all addictions are increasing in prevalence in our nation. Hence, addictions have emerged as a global concern, transcending national boundaries. We, as institutions, are actively striving to mitigate these addictions and ultimately eliminate them from the discourse of our society. In this regard, we have implemented the Fighting Addiction (Alcohol, Tobacco, Substance, and Behavioral Addictions) program. We are fully committed to ensuring that our students remain free from these types of addictions by disseminating diverse information regarding the subject to our university colleagues.

Post-program concerns were addressed.

 Directorate of Corporate Communications – February 7, 2024