Under the supervision of the Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Professor Dr. Sarmed H. Kathem Alkhateeb, the University Psychological Counseling Unit, in cooperation with the Media and Government Communication Department, the Women’s Affairs Unit, the Scientific Affairs Unit, and the Volunteer Work Unit at the University of Baghdad/College of Pharmacy held an in-person workshop entitled “Drugs and Their Effects on Society”, delivered by Assistant Professor Dr. Ali Faris Hassan, a faculty member at the Pharmacology and Toxicology Department.
The workshop aimed to raise participants’ awareness regarding the dangers of drug abuse and the negative consequences of addiction.
The workshop covered several topics, including defining addiction as a chronic medical condition that affects the nervous system and alters the individual’s behaviors and decision-making abilities. Also, the factors that lead to drug abuse, including psychological, environmental, and social influences, were reviewed. Furthermore, the workshop explained the mechanisms by which addiction develops within the body, outlining the biological and neurological changes that occur with continued use, making cessation increasingly difficult over time. In addition, the common types of abused drugs and their long-term effects on bodily functions and overall health were discussed. Moreover, the workshop highlighted prevention methods and the importance of awareness in reducing the spread of this phenomenon, as well as the available treatment options and the crucial role of families and educational institutions in supporting individuals and promoting preventative behaviors.
The workshop concluded that addiction represents a serious challenge that directly affects a person’s life and ability to perform daily tasks, and negatively impacts the cohesion of family and society, which emphasizes the need to promote a culture of prevention and early intervention to reduce the spread of this dangerous phenomenon.
