A recent report from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) sheds light on a concerning rise in the prevalence of drug addiction among children in Diyarbakır (Amed), a city with a Kurdish majority situated in southeastern Turkey.
Prepared by the HDP’s Child Commission, the report serves as an attempt to identify, analyse, and suggest solutions for the challenges faced by children in the area. This initiative reflects a broader concern for the welfare of children throughout Turkey. The commission’s work involved visits to 23 institutions working with children between 6-8 October 2022. Subsequent discussions with child-focused organisations were conducted in June 2023. The report focuses on various areas including education, health, law, labour, and migration, with the overarching goal of enhancing children’s rights and addressing their unique struggles.
The report shows that the onset of addiction in children has declined to as early as 9 years old in Diyarbakır and across the surrounding areas. Schools themselves have become places of sale for these substances, a fact that has become almost public knowledge. The report highlights the inadequacy of current efforts and the loss of functionality in health centres since the appointment of government trustees.
Recent years have seen an increase in youth suicides, often directly related to addiction and digital harassment. Families find themselves grappling with the complexities of substance addiction, facing societal shame, and opting not to openly share their predicaments.
War as the root cause
The report delves into the root causes of the issue, highlighting the grave violations of children’s rights. Children have become victims of landmines and explosives while playing in rural areas, while others have been struck, disabled, or even killed by military and police vehicles. Cases of sexual violence further exacerbate the plight of children, leaving them unsure of where to seek help and sometimes subjected to re-victimisation through legal processes.
Child labour is another concern, with children engaging in street work such as selling goods and cleaning car windows, a sight becoming increasingly common in Diyarbakır. Alarmingly, complaints regarding child labour often lead to additional victimisation as the children are taken into custody, further exacerbating their vulnerability.
The report also raises the issue of how government interventions have impacted children’s access to culture and art. Local government-led cultural activities have been discontinued, and organisations operating in this field have been forced to shut down, leaving children devoid of creative opportunities.
