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The Education and Student Affairs Sector at Ain Shams University organized an awareness seminar entitled “The Cycle of Smoking and Psychotropic Substances… You Are Stronger Than Drugs,” hosted by the Faculty of Pharmacy. The seminar was held under the auspices of Prof. Rami Maher Ghali, Vice President of the University for Education and Student Affairs, and with the coordination and administrative supervision of Mr. Ibrahim Saeed Hamza, Assistant Secretary of the University for Education and Student Affairs.

The seminar was generously hosted by Prof. Rehab Othman Ahmed, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, and Prof. Rula Milad Labib, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Community Service and Environmental Development, with the participation of the Faculty's Student Welfare Department.

The seminar featured a lecture by Dr. Rasha Mohamed Rashad, a researcher at the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Substance Abuse, affiliated with the Cabinet.

The seminar reviewed the role of the fund and its various departments, focusing on preventative programs aimed at reducing drug demand. It also highlighted the role of the hotline in providing 24-hour counseling services and free, confidential treatment, as well as social rehabilitation programs.

The seminar addressed the dangers of smoking and the use of psychoactive substances, their negative impact on physical and mental health, and their repercussions on the future of youth and society.

The seminar also shed light on the so-called "cycle of addiction," which often begins with experimentation out of curiosity or peer pressure, progresses through psychological dependence, and culminates in full-blown addiction that is difficult to overcome without professional intervention.

During the meeting, the researcher emphasized that smoking is the first step towards drug use, due to its content of substances that affect the nervous system, thus increasing the likelihood of engaging in more dangerous experiences. Several misconceptions surrounding drug use were also addressed, such as the belief that it is a way to escape stress or improve mood.

The seminar also covered prevention methods, the importance of choosing a healthy and supportive environment, and adhering to positive values. The role of families and universities in supporting and nurturing young people was also discussed. The event included visual presentations produced by the Fund about the dangers of synthetic drugs, highlighting the role of art as an effective tool for positive awareness and community building.

At the conclusion of the seminar, a clear message was conveyed to the students: "Your future is more important than any temporary experience… and you are stronger than drugs," emphasizing that seeking help is the first step towards strength, not weakness.

This seminar is part of a series of awareness events organized by the Education and Student Affairs Sector, represented by the Student Unions and Families Department within the General Administration for Youth Welfare, in cooperation with the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Substance Abuse. These events aim to enhance young people's awareness of the dangers of these phenomena, encourage them to adopt healthy behaviors and avoid sources of danger, thus contributing to building a conscious generation capable of making sound decisions and actively participating in community development.