Türkiye’s 2025 Drug Report Exposes a Deadly Surge in Addiction and Youth Deaths

The General Directorate of Security’s Anti-Narcotics Department has released the “Türkiye Drug Report 2025,” a comprehensive 198-page document detailing the nation’s escalating struggle against narcotics. The report compiles extensive 2024 data, exposing the full scope of the country’s addiction crisis, rising fatalities, and law enforcement challenges.

Drug-Related Deaths Surge by 42.3%

According to the report, 427 people lost their lives in 2024 due to direct drug-related causes — marking a 42.3% increase compared to the previous year. The findings highlight a sharp deterioration in public health outcomes linked to substance abuse, underscoring the urgency for preventive and rehabilitative measures.
Age distribution data reveal that the majority of victims were under 30 years old, with 160 deaths in this demographic. Alarmingly, six of the fatalities involved individuals under 18, indicating that drug exposure is now affecting younger populations. The report further states that 57.1% (244 individuals) of these deaths were caused by poly-drug use, where multiple substances were consumed simultaneously — a pattern associated with higher overdose risk and treatment complexity.

Nearly 375,000 Suspects Processed in 2024

Law enforcement operations intensified nationwide in 2024, with authorities intervening in 309,028 separate drug-related incidents. As a result, 374,948 suspects were apprehended throughout the year, reflecting the scale of Türkiye’s narcotics problem.
Of those detained, 78.2% faced legal action for offenses related to possessing, purchasing, or accepting drugs for personal use, suggesting that drug consumption — not just trafficking — remains a major driver of the crisis. Analysts note that the persistently high number of “user-level” arrests points to a need for public health-oriented solutions in addition to criminal enforcement.

Crackdown on Drug-Impaired Driving

The 2025 report also sheds light on measures taken against drivers operating vehicles under the influence of drugs. In 2024 alone, 3,656 drivers had their licenses revoked after testing positive for narcotic or stimulant substances. Authorities emphasize that these deterrent actions are critical to reducing road fatalities linked to impaired driving.

Treatment Demand on the Rise

Another striking aspect of the report is the growing number of individuals seeking medical treatment for addiction. Outpatient admissions to treatment centers reached 390,778 in 2024, signaling both rising awareness and an expanding dependency problem.
The socioeconomic breakdown of those seeking help reveals deep structural vulnerabilities: 43.2% of patients were unemployed, while 3.2% were students. Experts warn that unemployment and social exclusion are key factors that exacerbate drug dependency, especially among urban youth.

A Dual Battle: Law Enforcement and Rehabilitation

The “Türkiye Drug Report” illustrates a country fighting a two-front battle — against traffickers on one side and addiction’s social and health consequences on the other. Despite large-scale operations and record-level arrests, the surge in deaths and treatment cases indicates that enforcement alone cannot curb the epidemic. Public health experts are calling for integrated national policies that expand rehabilitation capacity, promote community outreach, and focus on prevention through education and early intervention.

Policy Implications and the Path Forward

While Türkiye’s anti-narcotics operations are among the most extensive in the region, the new data underscores the need for balance between punitive and therapeutic approaches. Analysts recommend scaling up harm-reduction programs, supporting employment for recovering addicts, and improving youth-oriented awareness campaigns.
The 42% spike in drug-related deaths, particularly among young adults, serves as a stark warning that the country’s drug challenge is evolving rapidly. Without sustained investment in public health infrastructure and social reintegration programs, Türkiye risks facing a deeper, more entrenched addiction crisis in the years ahead.