2nd International Symposium on Drug Policy and Public Health

Green Crescent hosted the 2^nd International Symposium on Drug Policy and Public Health in Istanbul on November 26–27, 2018, supported by the Ministry of Health.

The 2^nd International Symposium on Drug Policy and Public Health served as a platform for the exchange of ideas and best practices, and supported the development of evidence-based drug policies and public health practices while serving also as a medium for the formation of local and regional collaborations. The symposium sought to bring together decision-makers with representatives of civil society organizations and academic institutions to share their views, and attracted the participation of 56 speakers from 14 countries. The symposium was inaugurated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and was attended by approximately 1,500 participants.

The main themes of the 2^nd International Symposium on Drug Policy and Public Health were “Evidence-Based Policies and Approaches”, “Addiction Training for Workforce” and “Public Health Practices”.  Throughout the two-day symposium, international researchers, academicians, and representatives of the state and civil society organizations made presentations detailing best practices, supporting the development of public health policies based on scientific evidence, thus contributing to efforts to counter addictions, and facilitating the sharing of knowledge and experience.

On the sidelines of the symposium, an exhibition of photographs depicting the perils of substance addiction through the lens of famous Italian photographer Valerio Bispuri was held. Bispuri's “Hidden Stories” photograph exhibition, with the theme “For the Sake of Humanity”, portrayed substance addiction and its dangers from an artistic standpoint.

The following themes were on the agenda of the 2^nd International Symposium on Drug Policy and Public Health: 

• Evidence-based policies and approaches,

• Addiction Training for workforce,

• Public health practices. 

The 2^nd International Symposium on Drug Policy and Public Health was held over two days and eight main sessions with the contributions of:

• 14 countries

• 56 speakers

• 1500 participants.

The scientific program was planned to cover a broad range of themes related to substance data, the prevention of substance use and interventions targeting those with substance use disorders.