Terra Toprak Children's Education and Solidarity Association (TERRADER), an external stakeholder of Istanbul Gelişim University Sociology Department, is leading the Erasmus+ project titled "On the Road to Freedom: Empowerment Against Addiction." This project, which aims to raise awareness in the fight against substance addiction, is being carried out in partnership with Turkey, Hungary, and Romania. The first meeting of the project was held on March 5-6, 2025, in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Upon the invitation of TERRADER, the Head of the Sociology Department, Dr. Ayşe Aydın, attended the meeting on behalf of Istanbul Gelişim University.
During the meeting, the causes and consequences of substance addiction were examined in detail, and extensive discussions were held on effective strategies to combat addiction. Dr. Ayşe Aydın emphasized the importance of a sociological perspective in the fight against addiction, focusing on the social dynamics that contribute to its emergence. She highlighted that addiction is not merely an individual issue but is directly linked to economic, cultural, and social factors. Dr. Aydın stated that a holistic approach must be adopted in combating addiction. Sociological research indicates that substance addiction is closely related to an individual's environment, social relationships, and societal conditions. Factors such as economic inequality, unemployment, family conflicts, social exclusion, and the pressures experienced by disadvantaged groups play a significant role in the spread of addiction. In this context, rather than focusing solely on individual rehabilitation methods, it is crucial to develop policies aimed at reducing risk factors within the social structure.
Within the scope of the project, various training programs and workshops on addiction prevention will be organized in Turkey, Hungary, and Romania. These activities, which aim to increase social awareness, will not only strengthen international cooperation in the fight against addiction but also contribute to the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach.
While continuing its academic research and social projects in the field of addiction prevention, Istanbul Gelişim University Sociology Department also aims to contribute to solving social issues by collaborating with its external stakeholders in such international projects.
