The Women's Affairs Unit at Al-Nahrain College of Medicine Organizes a Scientific Workshop on Combating Drugs

Under the auspices of the Dean of the College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Prof. Dr. Anees Khalil Nile, the Women's Affairs Unit, in collaboration with the Psychological Counseling and Educational Guidance Unit, held a scientific workshop titled "Combating the Danger of Drugs: A Shared Responsibility" on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

Recognizing that youth are the true wealth upon which society relies to face and overcome challenges and crises, the responsibility to preserve and nurture this resource becomes paramount. The workshop featured an address by the Dean of the College of Medicine, who emphasized the critical role of students as leaders and ambassadors within their communities. He urged students to steer clear of anything that might undermine their academic and social status. Prof. Dr. Anees Khalil stressed the importance of collective efforts between higher education institutions and other state bodies in combating the threat of drugs to build a healthy and advanced society.

The workshop included a lecture by Brigadier Engineer Ziyad Khalaf Kataie from the Directorate of Drug and Psychotropic Substances Affairs at the Ministry of Interior. His lecture, titled "Drugs: A Social Issue," provided a detailed explanation of drugs, their types, and prevention methods. Brigadier Ziyad highlighted common misconceptions that might lead young people to fall into the trap of addiction, such as the false beliefs that drugs relieve stress, bring happiness, or enhance focus and creativity. He clarified the dangers of these misconceptions, explaining their severe negative effects on the nervous system, physical abilities, and vital organs like the brain, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.

Brigadier Ziyad also shed light on the role of rehabilitation centers managed by the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, which assist drug users and addicts in overcoming this perilous slope. Additionally, Assistant Professor Dr. Baha Amin Abdul-Hussein from the Pharmacology Department at the college presented a scientific lecture on the types and causes of psychological and physical addiction. He detailed appropriate medications for treating various diseases, warning against addiction to certain drugs and its grave consequences on public health. This included the dangers of stimulants, which may lead to suicide or organ failure, and the risks associated with sedatives, dextromethorphan, hallucinogens, and inhalants.

In conclusion, Assistant Professor Hayfaa Radhi, head of the Women's Affairs Unit, delivered a closing speech in which she highlighted the severity of the drug problem, describing it as a destructive pest that undermines the social fabric and devastates youth. She warned that the threat is dangerously close to every family, affecting all age groups. Haifa emphasized the need for a collective responsibility to confront this menace, with the participation of all educational institutions and societal organizations.

Through this workshop, the College of Medicine at Al-Nahrain University conveyed a vital awareness message, underscoring the importance of enhancing cooperation among various sectors to curb the spread of drug abuse.