Anti-drugs body is ‘in ruins’

THE Prime Ministry’s Anti-Drugs Commission is “in ruins” and shackled by “political grudges” in the face of a surge in offending, it was claimed yesterday, after its chairman resigned and said he would not reconsider his decision. Hasan Karaokçu tendered his resignation to the Prime Ministry last week, it emerged on Thursday,

although the ministry has yet to approve it.

A spokesman said the body was continuing its operations “as normal” — including providing support and consultations for hundreds of drug users and offenders, educational programmes and seminars — despite being “in limbo”, and was hoping for a change of heart.

Mr Karaokçu, who has headed the commission for four years, cited “many factors” for his decision, but declined to elaborate. Psychiatrist Mehmet Çakıcı, who represents the Cyprus Turkish Mental Health Association on the commission, expressed sadness at the departure of a man with 40 years’ experience in the field.

“As far as I’m concerned, there is no longer a commission left without Mr Karaokçu, no matter who replaces him. There’s no-one else as experienced and valued as Hasan,” he said.

Dr Çakıcı said the commission had problems and “lacked organisational infrastructure”, but they had been working on legislation to improve it and Mr Karaokçu would have become head of the “institutionalised” body.

“This is a great loss for us all, and a loss which comes with loads of questions which need answers from both Mr Karaokçu and, in particular, the government, primarily the Prime Ministry,” he said.

“Hasan was very upset that we didn’t have any proper treatment facilities for hundreds of these patients and that he had to apply to the Prime Ministry to request they be sent to Turkey.

“We could do so much here but always face obstacles. We wanted to open a new rehabilitation centre, as it is one of the greatest shortfalls in this country, but because of political grudges we have been prevented from bringing our projects to fruition — which is actually punishing youngsters who are drug addicts.”

Dr Çakıcı claimed drug use had tripled over the last 10 years, making the issue “North Cyprus’s biggest problem”. Yet addicts could not get proper treatment, equipment to test drivers for drug use had yet to be provided, and “we can’t get on to the drug barons who are the main reason we have all this here”.

Neither Mr Karaokçu nor Prime Minister Tufan Erhürman could be reached for comment.