Efforts to combat drug addiction, which is a social problem: The case of Kütahya Municipality "Umer"

Daha Substance addiction is a complex and significant issue that affects societies in various ways. Drug substances that have been present in human history for thousands of years have been used by societies for various purposes. Nowadays, substances with stimulating and hallucinogenic effects are affecting society in social, economic, psychological, cultural, health, and legal aspects. While a drug addict can cause social problems, sociological factors also contribute to addiction problems. As a country that witnesses many cases of drug addiction and related crimes, just like in the world, Turkey is among the countries that are affected by the phenomenon of substance addiction. In response to the increasing drug addiction in the country, institutions have begun to carry out prevention and intervention efforts. Local governments, which are closely connected with the public and can easily reach out to the public and provide immediate intervention to the problems, come first among the institutions that carry out prevention and intervention efforts. This study focuses on the prevention project implemented by Kütahya Municipality under the scope of social municipalism, called UMER (Drug Addiction Prevention Center), which aims to prevent drug addiction. In the field research conducted, the activities, objectives, and goals of UMER's education and awareness-raising efforts, awareness-raising activities, counseling, and referral services for those at risk of addiction were explored. The data for the research were obtained by examining the activities of UMER, which operates under the Culture and Social Affairs Directorate of Kütahya Municipality.