Don't Get Addicted to Drugs and Become Detached from Life! - Healthy Choices Through Erasmus+

The Erasmus+ Mobility of Youth Workers project "Don't Get Addicted to Drugs and Become Detached from Life!" (Project No. 2023-2-TR01-KA153-YOU-000168035) was organized by Toplum Sağlığını Geliştirme Platformu in Antalya, Türkiye, from 22–29 October 2024.

One of the main activities focused on disseminating the values and opportunities of the Erasmus+ Programme through a public awareness campaign in Antalya's city square. Participants introduced successful Erasmus+ projects, explained the programme's objectives, and engaged directly with local residents by distributing promotional materials and informative leaflets. Visual displays and interactive conversations attracted public interest, helping more people discover international learning opportunities while improving participants' communication skills, confidence, and ability to present educational opportunities to diverse audiences.

The programme also highlighted the importance of volunteering and active citizenship as powerful tools for preventing social problems such as substance addiction. During a public awareness event supported by local media, participants delivered messages emphasizing civic engagement, volunteerism, and community responsibility. By sharing prepared speeches and participating in media outreach, they developed public speaking skills, learned how to communicate effectively through traditional and digital media, and explored how awareness campaigns can inspire positive social change beyond the project itself.

Working directly with members of the local community gave participants valuable experience in intercultural dialogue and public engagement. Conversations with people from different backgrounds encouraged mutual understanding while reinforcing the importance of cooperation, empathy, and shared responsibility in addressing addiction-related challenges. The dissemination activities demonstrated how international mobility projects can create a lasting local impact by connecting European values with community-based action and encouraging wider participation in youth initiatives.

The learning process was strengthened through structured evaluation activities that encouraged participants to reflect on the effectiveness of the awareness campaign and the educational methods used throughout the project. Through discussion, analysis, and collaborative feedback, participants identified key achievements, shared recommendations for future initiatives, and recognized their own professional development. As a project partner, HARA Health and Sports Association benefited from exchanging innovative non-formal education methods, strengthening its international partnerships, and gaining practical approaches that will support its future initiatives in health promotion, sport, youth participation, and substance addiction prevention at both local and European levels.