| Summary: | This article analyzes the intersection of urban security, preventive policing, and drug control policies in Türkiye with particular emphasis on the growing challenge of synthetic substances. The study examines how rapid urbanization, socio-economic disparities, and migration flows have reshaped the dynamics of drug-related crime in metropolitan areas. Drawing on criminological theories such as social disorganization, strain theory, and community policing, it situates the Turkish experience within global debates on urban crime and preventive security governance. Methodologically, the paper relies on policy reports, official statistics, and comparative analysis to evaluate multi-level preventive initiatives including Narkotim patrol units, school-based safety programs, family-centered projects, and technology-driven applications such as UYUMA. The findings demonstrate that preventive policing strategies in Türkiye have shifted the focus from reactive interventions to proactive community engagement by integrating law enforcement with education, health, and social welfare systems. Furthermore, the sharp increase in synthetic drug use and seizures highlights the urgency of adaptive, data-driven, and multi-stakeholder frameworks. Overall, the study concludes that Türkiye’s preventive policing experience represents a valuable model for understanding how contemporary states can design inclusive, sustainable, and technologically supported drug control strategies that simultaneously enhance national security and reinforce urban resilience.
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