Under the patronage of the Dean of the College of Science for Women, Prof. Dr. Sameera Naji Khdim , the Department of Chemistry held a guidance seminar entitled “Drugs and Family Disintegration” in the Hospitality Hall on Monday, 24 November. The seminar was presented by Dr. Sanaa Tariq, Dr. Enas Abdul-Hussein, and Ms. Yasmin Hamid Hilal, with the attendance of a number of faculty members, staff, and students of the department.
The seminar opened by highlighting the drug problem, which represents one of the greatest challenges facing countries worldwide due to its severe health, social, economic, and security-related consequences. The presenters explained the impact of this scourge on the nervous system and brain, and the dysfunction it causes, leading to catastrophic outcomes for individuals and society.
The seminar also addressed the causes of addiction, including lack of awareness of the dangers of drugs, weak religious deterrence, poor social upbringing, family disintegration, absence of dialogue among family members, as well as the influence of bad peers.
The seminar further outlined signs of addiction that may help families and communities identify the problem early, such as sudden changes in lifestyle, decline in academic or work performance, mood swings, persistent anger, excessive requests for money, isolation, and loss of interest in usual activities.
The presenters emphasized that confronting this phenomenon requires broad societal awareness and cooperation between families and educational and health institutions to limit its spread and to treat affected individuals before the problem worsens, ultimately aiming for a healthy and secure society.
In conclusion, the seminar highlighted the importance of intensifying awareness programs within universities to enhance students’ understanding of this critical issue
