The Psychological Counseling and University Guidance Unit at the College of Engineering, in cooperation with the Continuing Education Unit and the Department of Surveying Engineering, organized an awareness workshop titled “Factors Associated with Drug Abuse Among University Youth and How to Address Them,” delivered by Assistant Lecturer Taiba Hussein.
The workshop aimed to shed light on the phenomenon of drug abuse among university youth and to raise awareness of its risks and negative effects on mental and physical health and academic behavior, as well as to support preventive efforts within the university environment to curb the spread of this phenomenon.
The workshop addressed an analysis of the key factors contributing to drug abuse, including social, familial, psychological, and economic aspects, outlining their negative effects on students. It also discussed mechanisms for addressing the issue and promoting a culture of prevention within the university community, thereby contributing to a safer and more stable educational environment.
At the conclusion of the workshop, the lecturer emphasized the need to intensify awareness programs within educational institutions regarding the dangers of drugs, and to activate the role of psychological and social counseling in supporting students and helping them cope with various pressures. She also stressed the importance of strengthening the family’s role in positive follow-up and supervision, and in developing young people’s refusal and decision-making skills to reduce the influence of peer pressure.
She further underlined the importance of addressing economic factors by providing training and qualification opportunities that help reduce unemployment and idle time, while emphasizing the need to strengthen cooperation between universities and health and security institutions to develop integrated preventive programs that help curb the spread of this phenomenon within the university community.
This activity supports Sustainable Development Goal 3, which calls for ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
