Çakıcı: We will not surrender the youth to drugs and online gambling
In a written statement, Çakıcı stated that addiction affects not only individuals but also families and the future of society, emphasizing that the fight against addiction cannot succeed through punishment and police measures alone.
Stating that current combat methods need to be re-evaluated and holistic policies encompassing prevention, early intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation must be implemented, Çakıcı noted that gambling activities have penetrated the daily lives of young people through mobile phones.
Stating that young people can quickly fall into debt and become distanced from their education and working lives, Çakıcı expressed that drugs threaten the health of youth, while online gambling threatens their futures and family relationships.
Saying that “The state cannot watch this destruction,” Çakıcı stated that the Anti-Addiction Commission should prioritize the tasks of producing scientific data, ensuring inter-institutional coordination, and developing protective policies.
Noting that public resources allocated to the fight against addiction must be used effectively and transparently, and that the concrete results of expenditures and ongoing efforts should be shared with the public, Çakıcı said that a national action plan addressing the problems of drugs, gambling, and online gambling together must be prepared.
Çakıcı called for limiting access to online gambling, implementing effective regulations against gambling advertisements, applying continuous, science-based preventive education programs in schools, and strengthening the capacity of addiction treatment and rehabilitation services.
Recalling that he led the enactment of the Probation Law during his term as a member of parliament, Çakıcı said that an approach based on treatment and rehabilitation rather than punishment is crucial in the fight against addiction.
Noting that the elections to be held on December 6 are an important process where not only political preferences but also social responsibilities regarding the future of the youth will be determined, Çakıcı stated that he is ready to take responsibility again in line with his three terms of parliamentary experience and work in the field of addiction.
Çakıcı expressed that knowledge, experience, and determination will be decisive in the fight against addiction.
