Travelling on the way of the unknown and accomplishment is one of the major trends of the youth. To satisfy this quench of experiencing different facet of life sometimes they get introduced of something disreputable like “Drug Abuse”. Drug abuse causes many serious problems, such as violence, stress, depression, suicidal ideation and so on. Like many other countries, in Bangladesh abusing drugs is growing at an alarming rate now days; especially among the young generation to name.
Therefore, to enlighten regarding the repercussion of abusing drugs and sharing the loops of getting entrapped in this racket to the students of BRAC University this seminar was conducted under the title “Learning Today, Saving Tomorrow: Awareness on Addiction” on January 24, 2018 at BRAC University Residential Campus. The objectives of the sessions were to create awareness of addiction, empower the students to take preventive measures to say no to drugs and support the friends to stop taking drugs.
Mr. Md. Morshedul Haque, Assistant Campus Superintendent of the Residential Campus greeted the audience and introduced the seminar. Renowned Psychologist Professor Mehtab Khanam, Chairperson, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, University of Dhaka and Adviser of the Counseling Unit, BRAC University started the session with insightful concepts about the significant of Mental Health Care and a stabilization meditation exercise. Later on, the guest speaker Mr. Imtiaz Simon Mahmood shared his personal experiences of the negative impacts of abusing drugs and how did he recover from drug addiction. His miserable life experiences regarding recovery from drug addiction touched the audience very much. For the first time the “Drug Free World” foundation made collaboration with this venture. The Country Ambassador and Coordinator of the foundation Mr. Mohammad Mohsin Uddin has placed their objectives of the foundation. After that, Professor Mehtab Khanam discussed about the concepts of addiction, self reflection on addiction, communication style, the rules of assertion and how to say NO to drugs and some important tips to prevent addiction. Throughout the session, two role plays were conducted by the students and members of the counseling unit regarding how students can protect themselves from taking drugs. During the session, the students were very much responsive.
Concluded part was discussed by Mr. Md. Morshedul Haque by giving thanks to all the students of Residential Semester Spring-2018, distinguished guest speaker, members of the Counseling Unit, admin and management staff who supported to organize the seminar successfully.