Art and theater initiatives in Turkey address addiction and rehabilitation

Various cultural and social initiatives in Turkey are utilizing art to address addiction and support rehabilitation. In Toroslar, the Arslanköy Women’s Theater Group performed “Anne Elimi Bırakma” (Mother, Don’t Let Go of My Hand), a play written and directed by Ümmiye Koçak. The performance, held at the Yunus Emre Cultural Center, highlights the devastating impact of drug and alcohol addiction on individuals and their families.

In Adana, an exhibition titled “Addiction Combat and Independence Exhibition” was held at the M1 Adana Shopping Center. Organized by the Ministry of Justice General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses, the event showcased paintings and handicrafts created by inmates from guidance and rehabilitation-type correctional institutions. The exhibition aims to demonstrate how art, education, and vocational training serve as vital tools for psychosocial support and reintegration into society.