A S U

As part of Ain Shams University’s commitment to raising students’ awareness of societal issues, enhancing their understanding of the risks facing young people, and supporting the State’s efforts to build an informed generation capable of leading the future, and within the series of awareness seminars organized by the Education and Student Affairs Sector, a seminar was held at the Faculty of Agriculture titled “Social and Legal Protection for Combating Addiction… Prevention and Solutions… Choose Your Life,” targeting students from the Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine.

The seminar was held under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain Al-Abedeen, President of the University, and was graciously hosted and excellently organized by Prof. Walaa Abdel Ghany, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, and Prof. Manal Mubarak, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs.

This seminar forms part of a series of activities organized by the Education and Student Affairs Sector, represented by the Administration of Student Families and Unions at the General Administration of Youth Welfare, in cooperation with the Drug Control and Addiction Treatment Fund of the Cabinet, and was coordinated and supervised administratively by Mr. Ibrahim Saeed Hamza, Assistant Secretary-General for the Education and Student Affairs Sector.

The seminar hosted a distinguished panel of specialists from the Drug Control and Addiction Treatment Fund Dr. Rasha Mohamed Rashad, researcher at the Fund and Ain Shams University Coordinator, and Dr. Badr Abdel Aziz Badr, Director-General of Legal Affairs at the Fund.

During the seminar, a documentary film (4×6) was screened to raise awareness of the dangers of addiction and its social and legal dimensions.

Dr. Rasha Mohamed Rashad highlighted the predisposing factors and stages of addiction, noting that addiction does not begin with mere experimentation, but results from weak awareness within families and society, poor communication, and lack of supervision. She reviewed the stages of addiction, discussed synthetic drugs, and corrected misconceptions about drug use, their compositions, and their effects.
She also explained the components and harms of cigarettes, how to cope with peer pressure, in addition to early detection methods and strategies for confronting addiction.

Dr. Rasha added that drugs are not limited to illegal substances but also include the misuse of certain medical drugs such as sedatives, sleeping pills, and cough medicines. Misuse leads to deterioration and harmful effects on both mental and physical health. She concluded by stressing that addiction is a disease that can be treated with willpower and support, and is not a stigma. She also explained how to contact the Fund and the services it provides.

Dr. Badr Abdel Aziz Badr discussed the legal dimensions of drug-related issues in Egypt, emphasizing the severity of the penalties imposed on individuals who provide spaces or facilities for drug use, noting that Egyptian law is among the strictest in the Middle East in this regard.
He also presented the Fund’s free and fully confidential treatment and rehabilitation services offered through the hotline 16023.

The seminar witnessed strong attendance and interaction from students, who asked numerous questions about prevention, treatment, and the legal aspects of drug abuse, affirming the importance of such sessions in enriching their awareness and contributing to building a drug-free society.