UoITC Organizes an Awareness Symposium on Combating Social Stigma
The Division of Psychological Counseling and Educational Guidance at the UoITC organized an awareness symposium on combating social stigma through awareness campaigns to change stereotypes in society.
The university hosted a group of members of the Ministry of Interior(Minister’s Office) from the Department of Relations and Media, Moral Guidance and Psychological Operations Section, and the Community Police and Moral Guidance Directorate at the Ministry of Interior.
Mr. Salah Nouri Hamza from the Media and Public Relations Office defined the term social stigma at the beginning of the symposium. Then he explained the causes of drug addiction, its stages, and methods of limiting its spread. He added that among the things that could limit spreading drugs are through family ties, avoiding bad friends, avoiding cruelty and insult, setting a good example, investing free time, and trying to understand the psychological state of children, in addition to giving children confidence and monitoring them from a distance.
A number of films and clips were also presented, some of which depicted the experiences of recovering addicts or what affects the physical and health condition of addicts.
Then, Mr. Saif Sabri Qassim delivered a lecture on the deterrents and barriers, including moral, religious, educational and other causes that prevent the problem of drug abuse from turning into addiction, explaining the legal articles that differentiate between trade and abuse. He noted that there is a legal article that guarantees the right of the abuser who surrenders himself to the concerned authorities that he is a patient who must be treated in clinics and rehabilitation centers. He also focused on the major role played by the families in restoring confidence in the recovering addict.
Mrs. Marwa Jamal Khalil from the Department of Relations and Media pointed out that society views an addict who wants to treat himself as a sick person, but with the help of the family and specialized medical authorities, he is able to overcome this crisis and can be rehabilitated. However, if the reaction of the society towards this person is negative, this can lead to negative consequences that takes him to drugs addiction.
At the end of the symposium, Colonel Sinan Najm from the Moral Guidance and Psychological Operations Department gave an advice to the attendees on the necessity of family solidarity, monitoring children, and reporting any suspicions about specific individuals to the Ministry of Interior’s hotline (911).
For his part, the University Assistant President for Scientific Affairs, Dr. Louay Adour George, presented certificates of appreciation for to the lecturers, appreciating their role and the sacrifices of the Ministry of Interior’s staff in protecting society from vices and negative behavior.
