A Public Relations-Oriented Policy Approach in Combating Substance Addiction

OpenAlex · English

This study analyzes the public relations policies countries employ to combat substance addiction. The research population consists of the countries listed in the World Drug Report. The sample includes Türkiye, the United States, Bangladesh, Australia, Spain, and South Africa, selected to represent diverse socioeconomic groups across continents. The scope of the study is limited to the national strategies and status reports on drug control from the last three periods for the selected countries. The study was conducted within this framework, using a concurrent mixed-methods design. The countries' status reports on substance addiction were used as quantitative data and analyzed using document analysis in SPSS 26. Content analysis was applied to the qualitative data, and the strategies countries employed to combat substance addiction were analyzed using MaxQDA. The findings from both studies were compared, and a model for combating substance addiction was developed. The proposed model integrates key elements such as social interaction and dialogue, solidarity, and the establishment of social peace into policy, education, healthcare services, legal regulations, and social support mechanisms. This diversity of approaches is expected to provide a multidimensional strategy for substance use prevention.