WAN - Young people, drawing attention to the increasing prevalence of special warfare policies such as drugs, prostitution, gang formation, individual armament and agent recruitment, called for "Let's take action together".

 

The increase in drugs, prostitution, gang activity, individual armament and agent recruitment policies in Kurdistan is causing social decay. Young people are particularly targeted by these policies, while families' concerns about their children are growing daily. 

 

Young people in Wan (Van), noting the rise in prostitution, drugs and gang activity, emphasise that the public must now take action themselves. 

 

'FAMILIES SHOULD NOT EXERT PRESSURE'

 

Ilayda Senay, stating that the number of young women driven into prostitution is steadily increasing, said that pressure from family and society is the cause. Ilayda Senay added that young women, in particular, are driven to drugs and prostitution in their search for a new way out of the pressure they face: "Young people need to be mindful of their surroundings and the environments they find themselves in. Families should not pressure their children and should educate them properly."

 

‘GANGS ARE INCREASING’

 

Referring to the widespread prevalence of special warfare policies in Turkey, Yucel Ak stated that prostitution and drug use have increased significantly, particularly in Wan. Ak noted that drug use has fallen to as young as 10 years old and that not only the state but also the public must take action. 

 

“In general, these issues are becoming widespread due to gang activity. If different activities and events are organised, young people can be distanced from special war policies," he said. 

 

'A BIG RESPONSIBILITY FALLS ON FAMILIES'

 

Emphasising that one of the reasons for the spread of special war policies is the family, Muhammed Alkan stressed that families must also strive to create different areas of work for their children. 

 

Saying that the streets are dangerous for young people Alkan added: "The responsibility for this situation lies with the police and the state. Young people are now turning to different paths instead of school. Special war policies have had a very negative impact on women and children. It is unclear where this situation will lead."

 

Deniz Yazgin emphasized that there is a lot of gang activity in Turkey and that drugs are reaching younger and younger children, stated that children are being driven to crime: "The state needs to intervene in this situation. The state needs to find a solution before these children are driven to crime. If necessary, these young people need to be given psychological support."