Within the framework of the series of awareness symposiums organized by the Education and Students Sector at Ain Shams University, the Faculty of Medicine hosted a seminar entitled "Social and Legal Dimensions of Combating Addiction", under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, and generously hosted by Prof. Ali El Anwar, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Chairman of the Board of Directors of University Hospitals.

The symposium was organized by the General Administration of Youth Welfare- Student Unions and Families Administration, and the Faculty of Medicine Students Union, in cooperation with the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Abuse, headed by the Council of Ministers.

Dr. Rasha Mohamed Rashad, a researcher at the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Abuse, headed by the Cabinet, reviewed the importance of reducing the demand for drugs as a commodity that is sold, and pointed to the implementation of preventive programs targeting university and school students, in addition to training courses that aim to educate them about the dangers of drugs and their health and behavioral harms.

She pointed to the importance of the media aspect and how to overcome the inappropriate films and series that promote drugs.

She also stressed the importance of psychological rehabilitation in the treatment journey, explaining that the Anti-Addiction Fund provides free consulting and treatment services in complete confidentiality around the clock via the hotline 16023.

For his part, Dr. Badr Abdel Aziz Badr, Director General of Legal Affairs at the Anti-Addiction and Drug Abuse Fund under the Prime Minister's Office, discussed the legal aspects of combating addiction, pointing out the penalties that range up to the death penalty, but he explained that the law provides an integrated treatment system that allows the addict to be detained in a clinic and treated until he recovers, which drops the penalty.

He also stressed the danger of being in places prepared for drug use, and advised students to avoid mixing with smokers or users.

He highlighted the concept of "casual possession", warning against carrying or storing any bag or box without knowing its contents, as it may contain narcotic substances that lead to 5 legal accountability.

Dr. Badr pointed out the introduction of new treatment systems, such as compulsory treatment, where the court can order the user to be placed in a treatment facility instead of imprisoning him, which leads to the cancellation of the penalty without recording a criminal record.

The optional system allows the addict or one of his first-degree relatives to submit a treatment request without being subject to punishment.

He added that the drug law is one of the strictest laws, as its penalties do not expire with the passage of time, and those convicted of drug cases do not enjoy conditional release, unlike other crimes whose perpetrators can be released after serving half of the sentence.

The symposium concluded with a screening of the drama film "4×6", which aims to educate students about the dangers of addiction in a realistic and effective manner.