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The fact that we are unique in the
world makes it easier for us to move
forward in the international arena,
but since we do not have an example to
follow, we must experience everything
ourselves. When we encounter a
problem, we explain ourselves and our
intention, which opens all doors and
resolves all kinds of problems.
As a federation, what do you do for
your members? And what programs
do you offer? Can you tell us about
the supports you offer?
As a Federation, we try to support
our members in every way in the
international
arena.
The
most
important goal of the National Green
Crescents working under the roof of
the Federation is to improve capacity.
Our program support varies according
to the characteristics, cultures, people,
sensitivities and the main methods to
be used in the fight against addiction
in individual countries. We want every
country to have a Green Crescent, and
for all National Green Crescents to
have the same capacity as the Turkish
Green Crescent. Our intention is to
establish National Green Crescents
that determine policies on addictions
in their own countries, that direct
preventive activities and that provide
rehabilitation services in line with
their capacities. Addiction is a highly
contagious problem that moves
rapidly, and so all countries are at
risk. Accordingly, the National Green
Crescents should put up a decisive and
strong fight against addiction so as to
protect their communities and other
countries from this danger.
As the IGCF, we provide project support
within the scope of International
Financial Support Programs in order
to develop the capacities of National
Green Crescents and to contribute to
their fight. Through its International
Financial Support Program, Green
Crescent wants to make sure that
National Green Crescents conduct
sustainable activities, develop their
capacities, influence regional anti-
addiction policies and build their
advocacy infrastructures. We also
encourage National Green Crescents to
engage in advocacy, scientific research
and prevention studies in their own
countries,andtoestablishnationaland
international cooperation networks.
Our 2020 International Financial
Support Program will become active
in January 2020. We organize the
National Green Crescent Capacity
Development Program annually so as
to improve the capacities of National
Green Crescents. We also organize
capacity training exercises, stressing
the need of National Green Crescents
to analyze the prevailing addictions in
their own countries. We work together
to determine which addictions pose a
greater risk in the country concerned.
Last but not least, we looking at ways
to apply the Addiction Prevention
Training Program of Turkey – a
program that intends to prevent the
formation of addictions – or other
programs in other countries.
Where does the world stand in the
fight against addiction, and what
can we do?
I believe that the fight against
addiction is moving forward thanks
to the National Green Crescents
around the world. We believe that,
from prevention to intervention and
rehabilitation works, no compromise
should be made in the fight against
addiction. Even though the world sees
mitigation policies as a more effective
way of fighting against addiction,
we know otherwise. The countries
implementing mitigation policies will
ultimately turn around and support
our integrated approach to addiction.
During the Istanbul Initiative Meeting,
held in Istanbul with participation
of 21 NGOs from 15 countries, we
reminded the world once again of the
importance of prevention studies in
the fight against addiction. Thanks
to this meeting, we saw that there
are many countries that embrace
the integrated approach to the fight
against addiction.
As a Federation, we have to spread our
efforts in the fight against addiction
to every part of the world, obstinately,
tirelessly and without giving up. The
addiction problems cannot be resolved
in the short term. In 15 years’ time, we
will be holding the hands of children
and young people who are receiving
our anti-addiction training today,
and they will take us by the hand and
run toward a bright future. We have
recruited a large number of fresh
minds in our fight against addiction
in Turkey and around the world;
however, in making lots of money, the
sector is currently trying very hard
to turn children and young people
into addicts. We need to stand tall in
our fight against such efforts. We will
continue to fight against addiction
hand-in-hand with the rest of the
world, without turning our backs on
scientific facts.
In every country, we receive
crucial support from the highest
levels, from heads of state and
government members, and
from NGOs and universities,
in the establishment of
National Green Crescents.
That is because we treat every
country and every person with
the same sensitivity, with no
discrimination.
Addiction is a highly contagious
problem that moves rapidly,
and so all countries are at risk.
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