The University of Information Technology and Communications, in cooperation with the Iraqi National Security Service, organized an awareness seminar entitled “The Dangers of Drug Abuse and its Effects on Society,” presented by a number of officers from the Iraqi National Security Service, who reviewed the most prominent health and social risks resulting from drug abuse, in addition to explaining its negative repercussions on the individual and society.

The seminar included an awareness lecture on the scourge of drugs, which addressed the definition of drugs, their types, and the reasons for falling into their use, as well as their physical and social effects, and a detailed explanation was also given about the Law on Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances No. (50) of 2017, which was approved by the House of Representatives, and which regulates the mechanisms for holding accountable and punishing traffickers, promoters, transporters, and users, in addition to stating the procedures adopted for treating users through health centers spread throughout the governorates of Iraq.

The seminar addressed the reasons for the spread of drugs in Iraqi society, most notably bad friends, weak community awareness, weak religious conscience, the development of promotion methods, the wide openness to social media sites, as well as the lack of educational campaigns, unemployment, and weak cooperation between citizens and the competent security agencies.

The lecturer discussed the types of narcotic substances in terms of their origin and effects.

The seminar concluded with a video presentation illustrating the efforts of the Iraqi National Security Service in combating this scourge, while emphasizing the importance of strengthening awareness and prevention programs to protect young people from the dangers of drug abuse.