A S U

As part of a series of awareness symposia organized by the Education and Student Sector at Ain Shams University, the Faculty of Dentistry hosted an awareness symposium titled "How to Protect Ourselves from the Danger of Falling into the Clutches of Drug Abuse," under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University.

The symposium was held on Wednesday, April 22, 2025, at the Faculty of Dentistry, coordinated by Prof. Karim El-Batouti, Dean of the Faculty. The symposium was organized by the General Administration for Youth Welfare Office- Student Unions and Families Department and the Faculty of Dentistry Student Union, under the supervision of Mr. Ibrahim Saeed Hamza, Assistant Secretary of the University for the Education and Student Sector, and in cooperation with the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Drug Abuse, headed by the Cabinet.

Dr. Rasha Mohamed Rashad, a researcher at the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Drug Abuse, under the auspices of the Cabinet, and Dr. Badr Abdel Aziz, Director General of Legal Affairs at the Fund, lectured at the symposium.

Prof. Reham Magdy, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs, emphasized the importance of holding such awareness symposia to enrich our children's minds with valuable and useful information and raise their awareness, particularly against the serious threat of drug addiction.

Dr. Rasha Rashad indicated that these seminars are part of the implementation of preventive programs targeting university and school students, in addition to training courses aimed at raising their awareness of the dangers of drugs and their health and behavioral effects.

She added that any physical or psychological dependence is considered an addiction, pointing out that no one is immune to drugs, even if they are not addicted. She warned anyone who has an addicted friend to immediately distance themselves from him, explaining that taking pills to stay up late studying or working is a type of addiction, in addition to drug abuse. She pointed out that the most powerful security agencies in the world seize only 9% of drugs, so personal and societal awareness of the dangers of drugs must be enhanced, in addition to the importance of reducing demand for drugs as a commodity for sale, taking into account the importance of the media aspect and how to overcome inappropriate films and series that promote drugs.

She added that the increase in drug supply in recent years poses a major challenge to drug control efforts, necessitating increased community awareness of its dangers. She emphasized that reducing demand for drugs begins with an individual's own conviction, as self-awareness and a true understanding of the dangers of addiction are key.

She noted that 58% of addicts are unbeknownst to their families, emphasizing the importance of the family's role as the first line of defense in protecting their children from drugs by understanding the nature of the problem and methods of prevention and early detection.

She also addressed the most important behavioral indicators that may reveal drug abuse, explaining that family and friends can spot these signs and intervene early to protect their children. She emphasized the importance of psychological rehabilitation during the treatment process, explaining that the Anti-Addiction Fund provides free, confidential, 24-hour counseling and treatment services via the hotline 16023.

Dr. Badr Abdel Aziz Badr, Director General of Legal Affairs at the Drug Control and Treatment Fund, discussed the legal dimensions of the Anti-Drug and Drug Trafficking Law, highlighting the most important features that distinguish this law from its predecessor. The law's expanded scope of criminalization includes crimes such as being present at a drug use location, preparing a drug use location, and simple possession of drugs, as well as the law's new treatment system.

The symposium included a screening of the drama film "4x6," which aims to raise students' awareness of the dangers of addiction in a realistic and impactful manner.