What is Green Crescent? Why is Green Crescent Week Celebrated?

Green Crescent, one of the oldest associations of our country, was founded on March 5, 1920 by Dr. Mazhar Osman Uzman and his friends in order to prevent the occupation forces' efforts to spread addictive substances such as drugs and alcohol among the people during and after the First World War and to protect human health.

One of the long-established associations of our country, Yeşilay was founded on March 5, 1920 by Dr. Mazhar Osman Uzman and his friends in order to prevent the occupation forces' efforts to spread addictive substances such as drugs and alcohol among the people and to protect human health during and after the First World War.

Founded with the name "Hilal-i Ahdar", the association was later named "Green Crescent" and finally "Green Crescent". On September 19, 1934, with the decision taken by the Council of Ministers, it was accepted as a public benefit society. The fight against drugs and alcohol has expanded over the years with the emergence of new types of addiction.

What is Addiction According to the Green Crescent?

Addiction is the loss of control over a substance or action that a person uses. From the moment an individual is born, they need to protect themselves and cope with problems by reacting positively or negatively to stimuli from the outside world. This preferred method of coping is a key factor in the emergence of addiction. When addressing the issue of addiction, the environments and sociocultural structures that the person has been in since infancy and childhood should also be taken into consideration.

Causes of Addiction

Addiction is a combination of many psychological and biological factors, and it may not be accurate to attribute it to a single cause. When an individual first encounters a substance, feelings of curiosity and fear, as well as the idea that one time is one time only, are dominant. Addictive substances affect the release of the hormone dopamine, which is responsible for cognitive functions such as motivation, attention and decision-making in the brain. The more often and the more the substance is used, the more damage it causes to the brain.

Areas of Addiction in which Green Crescent is Working

• Tobacco Addiction

• Alcohol Addiction

• Substance Abuse

• Gambling Addiction

• Technology Addiction

What is YEDAM?

Yeşilay Counseling Center (YEDAM), is a center that provides free psychosocial support to individuals with addiction. Families and relatives of people with addiction problems are also supported to improve their relationships with their environment. With vocational courses for adaptation to social life, group work, activities in the YEDAM workshop, it is aimed to have individuals who are connected to life, not to substances.

Green Crescent Week

March 1-7 is celebrated every year as Green Crescent Week in order to raise public awareness against addiction and to inform the public about the harm that addictive substances cause to the body and mind. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers and employees in 120 branches of the Green Crescent draw attention to addiction and its effects through various activities.