"Tracing addiction" conference held in Komotini

The Western Thrace Turkish Women’s Platform organized a conference titled “Bağımlılığın İzinde” ("Tracing Addiction") on Saturday, June 21, 2025, aiming to raise awareness and foster societal engagement in the fight against addiction. The event was hosted at the Komotini Turkish Youth Union.

The conference began with an opening speech by the spokesperson of the platform, Gülsüm Hüseyin, who emphasized that addiction is a shared problem that affects not only individuals but also families, communities, and future generations.

“We will continue to raise awareness, support especially our youth, and carry hope to all parts of society,” she stated.

The program explored addiction from both scientific and social perspectives:

Clinical Psychologist Betül Özdoğan Küçük provided a comprehensive overview of addiction, discussing its definition, neurological impact, risk factors, consequences, and prevention methods. She also addressed common misconceptions about addiction in society.

Clinical Psychologist Koray Bağdatlı, in a presentation titled “Clinging to a Void: Understanding Addiction”, offered a critical perspective on the roots of addiction. Starting with a short video blending art and addiction themes, Bağdatlı argued that the industrial revolution disrupted people’s roots and weakened family bonds, creating fertile ground for addictive behaviors. He stressed the importance of human connection, cultural values, and a spirit of solidarity as key elements in countering addiction.

As part of the event, a small-scale art exhibition on the theme of addiction, prepared by local youth, was displayed in the courtyard of the association building.

The conference drew participation from a wide range of guests, including:

• Aykut Ünal, Türkiye’s Consul General in Komotini, and his wife İlayda Ünal
• Sedat Hasan, President of the Komotini Turkish Youth Union
• Duygu Mustafa, Head of the Women’s Branch of the Friendship Equality Peace Party
• Zeynur Bargan, Head of the Women’s Branch of the Xanthi Turkish Union
• Hülya Emin, President of the Cultural Association of Turkish Women in Rhodope
• Aslı Ali, Head of the Women’s Branch of the Komotini Turkish Youth Union
• Pervin Hayrullah, Director of the Western Thrace Culture and Education Company (BAKEŞ)
• Büşra Bülbül, Vice President of the Women’s Branch of the Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association

The high attendance, especially from young people, signaled strong community interest and commitment to addressing the challenges of addiction through dialogue, education, and collective action.