In implementation of the recommendations from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and as part of the “University Awareness” initiative for addiction prevention and activating the universities’ awareness role, the College of Business Informatics at the University of Information Technology and Communications organized an awareness seminar titled: “The Social and Psychological Effects of Addiction,” in collaboration with the Recovery Organization to reduce the dangers of drugs.

The seminar was presented by Mr. Essam Kashish, the head of the Recovery Organization, who discussed in his lecture the definition of drugs, the stages leading to addiction, the psychological and social factors contributing to it, as well as the physical, psychological, and social harms associated with drug abuse.

The lecturer pointed out the important role of specialized hospitals in providing therapeutic programs for inmates and those recovering, emphasizing the necessity of activating the role of local communities in supporting addiction cases and encouraging psychological treatment and self-recovery. He also clarified that a drug user who voluntarily turns themselves in to the authorities for treatment is considered a patient, not a criminal. He noted that the phenomenon of addiction in Iraq has begun to decline; owing to the security efforts that have contributed to reducing drug trafficking and apprehending dealers.

For her part, the Dean, Dr. Nagham Hamid Abdul Mahdi, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the danger of drug proliferation and the need to protect the youth from this plague, which may drive users to commit serious crimes such as theft and murder. She called for the continuation of such seminars as part of the university’s community responsibility in promoting a culture of prevention and recovery.
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