Religious Leaders Training in the Fight Against Addiction Closing Program was held in Çakırlar Grove Countryside Wedding Area. The program started with the recitation of the Holy Quran by the imam orator of the Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Mosque, Recep Çaylan, followed by the opening speeches.

“Fighting addiction is a preventive measure”

Samsun Governor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zülkif Dağlı, who participated in the Religious Leaders Training in the Fight Against Addiction Closing Program, said, “Religious officials are an important part of society. Regarding the fight against addiction, we should not think only of law enforcement officers. This task is not only theirs; this is the issue; It is the duty of all of us, including all public institutions, non-governmental organizations, and local and general administrations. We should not present any equipment that will create addiction in our children; instead, we should direct our children to sports and art activities.”

“The definition of addiction has changed”

Rector Ünal, who started his speech by thanking the Ondokuz Mayıs University Combating Addiction and Research Center (OMÜBAM) and its team, said, “I am delighted to be in this event that gives us hope for such a beautiful future and encourages us. First, I would like to thank our esteemed Governor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zülkif Dağlı, who supported us throughout the process, OMÜBAM Director, Dr. Faculty Member Figen Çavuşoğlu and her team, and you, our valuable participants, for your participation and contribution to this program. While addiction is used only to implicate narcotics and drugs, I think this situation has changed, and we have become addicted at many points. Addiction, together with the substances used, now appears as addiction to technology. The fight against addiction has become an issue that concerns every segment and institution of society. Therefore, as the University, we aspire always to be there to do whatever academically and socially needs to be done, stand in the context of community service, and do it unconditionally. In the same way, I would like to thank our esteemed members of the religious institutions who, like us, approached this issue sensitively, helped and followed this issue which is in our lives, not only by giving sermons and advice but also by following it with enthusiasm.”

“Addiction is a global threat”

Speaking within the scope of the program, Samsun Provincial Mufti Seyfullah Çakır said, “The biggest enemy that threatens all countries in the global world is substances containing addiction. Seminars were held in our five regions for our friends from the religious institutions from 17 districts, with the participation of approximately 300 people; on this road, we set out how to combat these factors and prevent them. I would like to thank Samsun Governor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zülkif Dağlı, OMÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal, OMÜBAM Director Dr. Figen Çavuşoğlu who gave us the greatest support in this project, and Atakum Mayor Cemil Deveci who hosted the program and I would like to thank you dear participants.”

“We aim to take preventive approaches”

OMÜBAM Director Dr. Figen Çavuşoğlu talked about their activities as an institution and said, “As the OMÜBAM family, we aim to take preventive approaches in the fight against addiction in society. Within the fight against addiction, we carried out activities in many areas to strengthen the leaders and leading professions in the community and increase their awareness and competencies. In this program, which we first started with the training of commission committee members in the fight against addiction, we provided a training program for members of the press so that they could create a common language in the press.”

Atakum Mayor Cemil Deveci thanked everyone who participated and supported the program within the scope of the fight against addiction and said, “As the municipality, we will do all we can in this area and provide assistance in every possible field.”

OMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Selim Eren, Deputy Mufti Özlem Kalyoncu Şirin, OMÜBAM Team, religious officials and their families attended the program.

At the end of the program, certificates of appreciation were presented to the OMÜBAM team, who carried out the training, and certificates of participation were given to the religious officials who received the training.