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20/02/2025

Substance Addiction and Recovery Webinar

The first webinar of 2025, "Substance Addiction and Recovery - Practical Approaches from YEDAM," will be held on February 20, 2025, from 12:00 to 13:00 (GMT +3) for Country Green Crescent representatives During this session: o   The psychological and social effects of addiction, risk factors, early intervention methods, and recovery processes will be discussed. o   YEDAM's free counseling services in alcohol, substance, gambling, tobacco, and İnternet addiction will be introduced. o   Comprehensive solutions such as psycho-social support, family therapy, case analysis, and life skills training will be explained in detail. o   Findings from case studies and best practices from the field will be shared. Starting this year, IFGC aim to hold more interactive sessions to increase engagement. Country Green Crescent representatives are welcome to share their thoughts, questions, and best practices before the webinar.

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02/05/2025

IFGC Forum Concludes with Honourable Attendance of President Erdoğan
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PUBLIC HEALTH

Addictions represent a major public health concern, being among the primary causes of preventable diseases and associated fatalities. As such, public health initiatives worldwide are conducted in the interest of the community and are consequently funded by governmental bodies. The International Federation of Green Crescent (IGCF), in collaboration with Country Green Crescents, actively engages in preventive measures regarding addiction as a public health issue and spearheads awareness campaigns in partnership with organizations dedicated to public health efforts.

In the realm of public health, it's vital to subject the emergence and spread of issues, as well as methods to prevent them, to rigorous scientific researches. This involves analyzing scientific data and sharing it with the public and authorities. National and international scientific conferences play a crucial role in exploring approaches to preventing addiction and assessing implementation opportunities within the context of public health.

Ensuring the health and well-being of individuals without any disease or disability, maintaining their health and improving it as well as enhancing their quality of life are fundamental responsibilities within the field of Public Health. While other medical specialties prioritize treating diseases, Public Health places health above all else. In Public Health, healthcare must be provided to the entire community, regardless of whether there's a demand for services, as being healthy is not just a prerequisite for individual happiness but also a human right that extends beyond personal welfare to societal well-being.

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In Public Health services, a variety of initiatives aim to preserve and enhance public health. These include immunization against infectious diseases, nutritional education to promote balanced diets, measures to combat air and water pollution, preventive actions against harmful substance use like alcohol and addiction and raising awareness to encourage healthy lifestyles. Since ordinary individuals typically don't seek out such services on their own, ensuring their participation in these initiatives requires specialized expertise and presents a challenging task.

3 Elements of Public Health (3P)

(P)revention  

(P)romotion 

(P)rotection  

Why Public Health Matters?

  • It supports the early detection of health issues and the implementation of suitable treatment methods.

  • With its interdisciplinary approach, it also delves into the socio-economic factors underlying disease causes, offering vital insights for effective solutions.

  • Public health caters to the entire population, ensuring no individual is left in disadvantaged circumstances.

  • It ensures the community is well-informed about health threats.

  • Through preventive measures, it presents a cost-effective alternative compared to the funds allocated for treatment.

Public Health from a Sustainable Development Perspective

Public health, a cornerstone of sustainable development, intersects with various issues and sectors, spanning from economics to social engagement, climate change to security. Therefore, collaboration, a prerequisite for global development, is an integral aspect of public health endeavors.

While the Millennium Development Goals set specific targets for certain diseases between 2000 and 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals established in 2015 articulate a broader objective in health. Aligned with the aim of "Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages," the UN has issued a global call to action. As the International Federation of Green Crescent, we continue our efforts to localize this objective and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

Development and Public Health

Countries with the most successful public health initiatives are typically those classified as developed nations. Recognizing that a nation's most valuable asset is its healthy human capital, these countries prioritize preventive and promotive activities to safeguard and enhance public health, rather than solely focusing on hospital-based medical treatments. Consequently, in countries that prioritize public health, where individuals rarely seek healthcare facilities with requests such as "prolong my life" or "protect my children from infectious diseases and harmful substance habits," the average life expectancy at birth is significantly longer, infant and child mortality rates are much lower, and overall health indicators are notably superior compared to other nations.

Globally, one of the major challenges in addiction treatment lies in the disparities in accessing appropriate treatment and support services. Especially in low-income countries, there may be insufficient resources and expertise available for addiction treatment. This situation exacerbates global inequality in addressing addiction-related issues.

In order to address this issue, IFGC collaborates with Country Green Crescents globally to prevent addiction and raise awareness about public health aspects of addiction.

Public Health in Addiction

On a global scale, tobacco use remains one of the greatest threats to public health, causing over 8 million deaths annually and tobacco control continues to be a global health priority. According to the World Health Statistics 2023 report, there have been significant reductions in per capita alcohol consumption in Europe (17% decrease) and Africa (18% decrease) between 2000 and 2019, while the Americas region has experienced stagnation, and significant increases in per capita consumption have been observed in the Southeast Asia (112% increase) and Western Pacific (40% increase) regions.

Additionally, a study published in Tension Trusted Source has found that even small amounts of alcohol consumption can raise blood pressure.

Current research on gambling shows that approximately 40% of adolescents engage in simulated gambling games. However, it is noted that even these games, which do not involve financial risk, can still increase individuals' interest in gambling. The shift of adults who grew up with video games and online gambling to sports betting is the newest area of interest for researchers trying to understand the effects on both people with gambling addiction and those exposed to gambling early.

In June 2023, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) published the "World Drug Report." According to the report, one out of every 17 individuals aged 15-64 has used at least one illicit drug within the past year. The estimated number of drug users increased from 250 million in 2011 to 296 million in 2021. Additionally, according to the European Drug Report, cannabis continues to be the most widely consumed illicit drug in Europe.

Efforts in public health require a special worldview, a different philosophy, and are an open field for collaboration not only for physicians but also for many professions related to health or social sciences.

Since public health efforts are directed towards society without individual demands and results take a long time to emerge, successful outcomes may not be immediately visible. Therefore, the primary source of satisfaction in preventing addiction is the improvement in the health status and quality of life of the communities in which individuals live. In this regard, the voluntary-based struggle of Country Green Crescents in the field of public health is a critical dynamic that nourishes global well-being and public health.

More Latest News

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The International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) successfully held its 5th Ordinary General Assembly on April 1, 2025, bringing together representatives from national Green Crescent organizations across the globe. The Assembly marked an important milestone in the Federation’s journey, with the election of new leadership and governance bodies, the approval of key amendments to the IFGC Charter, and the admission of new member organizations. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Dinç was elected as the new President of IFGC, and Amb. Dr. Mehmet Güllüoğlu was appointed as Secretary General. The Federation extends its sincere appreciation to all member organizations for their active participation, valuable contributions, and continued dedication to a healthier, addiction-free world. The General Assembly also approved several amendments to the IFGC Charter to enhance organizational effectiveness, strengthen governance, and better respond to global public health challenges. Board Structures for the 2025–2027 Term Board of Directors – Permanent Members Türkiye – Türkiye Yeşilay Vakfı Bulgaria – Yeshilay Bulgaria Association Australia – Green Crescent Australia Türkiye – Türkiye Yeşilay Cemiyeti Uganda – Uganda Green Crescent Society Serbia – Zeleni Krst - Zeleni Polumsejec Syria – Suriye Yeşilay Derneği Indonesia – Yayasan Green Crescent Indonesia Dagestan (RF) – Green Crescent Board of Directors – Substitute Members Austria – Verein Neubeginn Suchtprävention Ethiopia – Ethiopian Green Crescent Organization Lebanon – Stardom Association (Al Najm) Azerbaijan – Zererli Verdişlere Qarşı İctimai Birliyi Jordan – The Jordan Anti Drugs Society Albania – Fondacioni "Yesilay" Thailand – Green Crescent Thailand Supervisory Board (2025–2027) Permanent Members Zambia – Green Crescent Zambia North Macedonia – Zdruzenie Jesilaj Na Rsm Iraq – Ibn Sina Foundation for Improvement and Sustainable Development North Cyprus – Kıbrıs Türk Yeşilay Derneği Bosnia and Herzegovina – Udruzenje Gradjana Zeleni Polumjesec u Bosni i Hercegovini Substitute Members Bangladesh – Health and Economy Morocco – Croisan Vert Morocain Kosovo – Kosova Yeşilay Cemiyeti (Shoqëria Hana e Gjelbërt e Kosovës) High Advisory Board (2025–2027) General President of IFGC Previous President of IFGC Malaysia – Pertubuhan Bulan Sabit Hijau Malaysia Nigeria – Green Crescent Health Development Initiative Brazil – Conectados Pela Vida Tunisia – Madinaty Kyrgyzstan – Caşıl Ay Koomu South Africa – Green Crescent South Africa Sri Lanka – Green Crescent Foundation With renewed leadership and strengthened international cooperation, the Federation continues to advance its mission of promoting public health and addiction prevention worldwide.

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The 8th International Capacity Building Program, organized under the leadership of the International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) and hosted by the Turkish Green Crescent Society, successfully brought together civil society leaders and public health experts from around the world. Held between April 30 and May 2, 2025, at the Green Crescent Headquarters in Istanbul, the program welcomed 120 participants from 60 countries. Over the course of three days, participants engaged in 12 workshops led by field experts and benefited from insights shared by 42 distinguished speakers, including representatives from Country Green Crescents. Key topics included capacity development, project design, destigmatization in treatment and recovery, and international advocacy—offering a rich platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration in the field of addiction prevention. Day 1: Opening Remarks and Collaborative Spirit The event began with keynote speeches from the Turkish Green Crescent Society and the International Federation of Green Crescent. Delegates from different countries gathered to share their knowledge and experiences, sending a message of solidarity and cooperation. Morning sessions featured global experts discussing addiction treatment, recovery processes, volunteerism, and public health. Notable contributions came from Esbjorn Hornberg (Movendi International), Dr. Hamad Al Ghafri (International Society of Addiction Medicine), Dr. Dzmitry Krupchanka (World Health Organization), Karen Peters (UNODC), and Guglielmo Schinina (International Organization for Migration), who addressed topics ranging from global prevention strategies to substance use among displaced populations. The day continued with parallel training sessions focused on prevention strategies and concluded with a social gathering including a Bosphorus cruise and gala dinner at night. Day 2: Thematic Deep Dives and Country Spotlights The second day began with international panel sessions exploring topics such as tobacco control, alcohol policies, technology addiction, and the preventive role of civil society. Speakers including Cornel Radu-Loghin (European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention), Florence Berteletti (European Alcohol Policy Alliance), and Dr. Tasnim Atatrah (World Health Organization, Turkey Office) shared insights on policy coherence, multisectoral collaboration, and regional approaches. Through parallel workshops, participants engaged with themes relevant to their specific interests. Representatives from Green Crescent Health Development Initiative (Nigeria), Everest Green Crescent (Nepal), and Turkish Green Crescent Society presented successful practices and fieldwork examples, contributing to a robust exchange of on-the-ground experiences. Day 3: Education, Sustainability, and Gender Sensitivity The final day started with a session highlighting the role of trainers in awareness-raising efforts. The agenda moved on to key themes like sustainable financing, gender-sensitive approaches, and international educational collaborations. A workshop led by Jan Peloza (Impact Hub Ljubljana) focused on practical strategies for sustainable resource mobilization. Institutions like UNODC ROSEE, UN Women, Africa House, and the Maarif Foundation added depth to the discussions and emphasized collaborative pathways for future engagement. Green Crescents from Stardom Association (Lebanon), Pertubuhan Bulan Sabit Hijau Malaysia, and Thai Green Crescent shared innovative projects aimed at empowering youth, and enhancing intercultural collaboration. These presentations provided a wealth of practical insights, showcasing real-world impact and cross-border learning. If you want to reach the Program Agenda please click

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