Turkish Minister announces new era in drug fight
Interior Minister Soylu announced at a recent meeting with Istanbul headmen that the number of drug users in Turkey has decreased by 8%. He also revealed that the minimum punishment for chemical drug crimes has been increased from 10 to 15 years. Soylu further disclosed that the government is opening treatment and rehabilitation centers for substance abusers in prisons, as well as prisons focusing solely on treatment and rehabilitation. With the Ministries of Health and Agriculture and Forestry, the government is also establishing "spring centers" in forests for rehabilitation. Police and gendarmerie teams will supervise released drug users on probation to prevent repeat drug abuse. In addition to drug-related issues, Soylu spoke about the government's investments in public opinion, including constructing new government buildings in multiple districts in Istanbul and addressing land registry problems with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change.
