Young adult age is the period of growth and accomplishment. In this time they try to become independent by experiencing different aspect of life. They try different new things and for that sometimes they might fall in different negative experience like drugs. Drug abuse is a serious public health problem that affects almost every community and family in some way. Each year drug abuse causes millions of serious illnesses or injuries across the world. Drug abuse also plays a role in many major social problems, such as violence, stress, child abuse etc. In Bangladesh it is a growing national concern. There are millions of drug-addicted people in Bangladesh and most of them are young, between the ages of 18 and 30. And they are from all strata of the society.
To educate youth about the negative consequences of drug addiction, Counseling Unit of BRAC University, organized a seminar titled, “Awareness on Drug Dependency” on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at BRACU, Savar Campus.
Renowned Psychologist Ms. Farida Akhter, Consultant, Counseling Unit of BRAC University started the seminar and welcomed the student with insightful song and three statements which were really very inspiring for the students’. She also did a mini relaxation with the participants to help them to feel about what really happens when a person takes drugs which helped student to visualize the real picture of effect of drug addiction.
Then one guest speaker Mr. Zahid Iqbal, Program Officer at Dhaka Ahsania Mission discussed about the concept of drugs, when, why and how people become addicted to drugs, negative impacts of using drugs on individual, family and society. He also shared his personal experience of how he recovered from drug addiction. His poignant life history touched the audience very much, which we came to know after the seminar from students sharing.
Concluded part was discussed by Ms. Farida Akhterwhere she drew the conclusion on how students can protect themselves from taking drugs and also some tips of prevention. She facilitated the whole seminar using interactive and participatory methods which were really enjoyable for the students. Then in Question-Answer Session, students shared and asked many questions regarding the concept of Drugs and speakers answered on that. At the end of the seminar all students took oath to “Say no to Drugs” with full of determination.
Students of RS, Fall-2014, members of Counseling Unit, admin/management staff of BRACU, Savar Campus were present at the seminar.