Yeşilay (Green Crescent) Week is a national awareness week celebrated annually in Türkiye from March 1 to 7, drawing attention to the fight against addictions that threaten public health. The week is organized in connection with the founding of the Green Crescent Society on March 5, 1920, in Istanbul by Dr. Mazhar Osman Uzman and 30 intellectuals of the period. The events aim to raise public awareness about harmful habits, primarily tobacco, alcohol, substance, technology, and gambling addictions, and to enhance society’s capacity to combat addiction.
Yeşilay (Green Crescent) Week (Türkiye Yeşilay Cemiyeti)
History
Between 1914 and 1920, during World War I and the occupation period, the idea of establishing a society arose to prevent the spread of alcohol and drugs in society from weakening the spirit of national struggle. In line with this, with the permission of Sultan Vahdettin and under the patronage of the Sheikh al-Islam of the time, Ibrahim Haydarizade, Dr. Mazhar Osman and his friends founded an association called “Hilal-i Ahdar” in Istanbul on March 5, 1920. Dr. Emin Pasha became the first president of the association, but Dr. Mazhar Osman took over the presidency at the congress held on October 15. The association continued its activities under the names “Yeşil Hilal” and then “Yeşilay” in the following years.
In 1927, the society began organizing plays, conferences, and tea parties to spread its anti-alcohol views and the social awareness it sought to create among the masses. On May 5, it added the “Green Day” holiday to these events, to be celebrated every year on the first Friday of May.
In 1934, with the support of President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Prime Minister İsmet İnönü, the association expanded its activities; it strengthened its efforts to raise national awareness in the fight against alcohol and drugs by establishing stronger partnerships with public institutions, schools, and civil society organizations.
Organizational Structure and Areas of Activity of Yeşilay
Green Crescent is a non-governmental organization that aims to protect society, particularly youth, from harmful habits without discrimination, based on human dignity and respect. While its initial mission focused on combating alcohol addiction, the increase in types of addiction has expanded its scope to include tobacco, substance, gambling, and technology addictions.
Green Crescent operates 120 branches across Türkiye and has a presence in 97 countries worldwide. Established in 2015, Yeşilay Counseling Centers (YEDAM) provide free outpatient psychosocial support services to individuals struggling with addiction and their relatives. There are a total of 105 YEDAM centers across Türkiye’s 81 provinces and in Northern Cyprus, accessible via the 115 Consultation Line.
Since its founding, Green Crescent has been recognized as a “Public Benefit Society” since 1934 and holds the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Special Consultative Status and the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Türkiye Excellence Award.
Effects of Addiction on Individuals and Society
Addiction is a disease that compels an individual to continuously use a substance or object despite its harmful effects, affecting both the brain and behavior. It negatively impacts physical, mental, and social life. Key effects of addictive substances include lung and liver cancer, oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal cancers, and loss of consciousness. Tobacco, alcohol, and drugs cause significant economic and social harm to individuals, families, and society, also affecting national morality, defense capabilities, and overall societal welfare. A healthy and conscious society can develop only through protection from addictive substances. Therefore, keeping children and youth away from harmful habits is crucial for a healthy and happy society.
Events and Celebrations
During Green Crescent Week, numerous events are organized across Türkiye. Throughout the week, branches, volunteers, YEDAM centers, and other partnerships aim to raise public awareness about combating addictions. Activities are planned to include discussions, seminars, exhibitions, workshops, social media campaigns, and cultural events.
Green Crescent Week Events (Anadolu Ajansı)
Throughout the week, educational and informative programs are conducted to ensure that young people, children, and adults gain awareness about harmful habits. Campaigns run via social media and digital platforms aim to reach a wide audience in the fight against addiction. Visual and audio awareness activities are also emphasized, delivering messages to the public through films, short videos, brochures, newspapers, and other media. Sports, art, and cultural events are used to keep the topic of addiction prevention on the agenda and enhance societal awareness. All these activities contribute to strengthening addiction prevention consciousness among all segments of society during Green Crescent Week.
Vision and Mission
Green Crescent’s vision is to play a leading role nationally and internationally in the fight against addiction. Its mission is to be a non-governmental organization that, based on human dignity and respect, upholds national and moral values, combats tobacco, alcohol, drugs, technology, and gambling addictions using scientific methods, and carries out preventive and rehabilitative public health and advocacy activities.
