A S U

As part of the ongoing series of awareness seminars organized by the Education and Students Affairs Sector at Ain Shams University, aimed at educating youth about risks and supporting the state’s efforts to build an informed generation capable of leading the future, a seminar titled “Combating Addiction and Substance Abuse” was held at the Faculty of Education. The event was held under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of the University, and hosted by Prof. Dr. Safaa Shehata, Dean of the Faculty of Education.

The seminar was organized within the activities of the sector, represented by the Administration of Student Families and Unions at the General Administration of Youth Welfare, in cooperation with the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Substance Abuse affiliated with the Cabinet, and coordinated under the supervision of Mr. Ibrahim Saeed Hamza, Assistant Secretary-General for the Education and Students Affairs Sector.

The event was attended by a distinguished group of specialists from the Fund, including Dr. Rasha Mohamed Rashad, researcher at the Fund and Coordinator for Ain Shams University, and Dr. Badr Abdel Aziz Badr, Director General of Legal Affairs at the Fund.

In his remarks, Prof. Hany Youssef, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Education for Education and Students Affairs, stressed the importance of protecting university youth from the dangers of addiction, noting that young people are often the most targeted group. He emphasized the necessity of raising community awareness about the health and legal consequences of addiction.

Dr. Rasha Mohamed Rashad delivered an explanation on the factors that lead to addiction and its various stages, addressing common misconceptions about drug use. She also discussed the components and harms of cigarettes, strategies for resisting peer pressure, early detection methods, and approaches to confronting addiction.

Dr. Rasha noted that addiction is not limited to narcotic substances but also includes the misuse of certain medications such as sedatives, sleeping pills, and cough syrups. She clarified that addiction is a treatable disease and that recovery requires willpower and effort. She urged young people to choose a healthy lifestyle and a safe future and explained how they can contact the Fund and benefit from its available services.

She concluded by emphasizing the importance of raising youth awareness about the dangers of addiction and enhancing their ability to make sound decisions regarding their health and future. She reaffirmed that addiction is a preventable and treatable condition, and that it is society’s duty to equip young people with the knowledge and guidance needed to build a healthy and secure life.

For his part, Dr. Badr Abdel Aziz discussed the legal offenses related to drug use, stressing the importance of educating university youth about the legal aspects surrounding addiction and drugs. He explained that many misconceptions exist regarding laws and penalties that individuals may face when dealing with such substances.

He highlighted that simply being present in locations where drugs are used, or preparing a place for drug use, even with good intentions, can result in a sentence of up to six years. He also stated that accidental possession, such as carrying a bag that contains drugs without the person’s knowledge, may still expose them to legal accountability.
Dr. Badr also introduced students to the free treatment and rehabilitation services provided by the Fund, assuring that all services are fully confidential to protect the privacy of beneficiaries. He urged young people to avoid any behavior that may expose them to health or legal risks, thereby contributing to a healthy and safe environment and reinforcing their sense of personal and social responsibility.
He added that the Fund can be contacted through the hotline 16023.

During the seminar, a documentary film titled “4×6” was screened to raise awareness of the health, social, and legal dimensions of addiction.

At the end of the event, Dr. Rasha and Dr. Badr were honored in appreciation of their efforts in promoting awareness about the dangers of addiction and fostering a culture of prevention among students.