INTRODUCTION:
On October 1, 2024, the Psychology Department of Jinnah University for Women organized an awareness event on “Drug Prevention in Youth” from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. The ceremony began with the name of Allah, followed by the playing of National Anthem. The stage was then handed over to Dr. Kiran, an expert on the subject, who conducted a highly engaging and informative session on drugs, narcotics, and how to prevent youth from falling into addiction.
WHAT IS DRUGS?
Dr. Kiran’s command over the topic was evident as she started by introducing the audience to the purpose of the session: raising awareness about drugs and ways to protect oneself. She interacted with the students by asking them what they understood by the word “drug.” Their answers— ranging from “addiction” to “medicine”—showed that they had some knowledge of the term. She explained that a drug is a substance that causes physical or mental changes in the body.
WHAT IS ADDICTION?
Dr. Kiran then explored the concept of addiction, asking students what they thought it meant. Some described it as “obsession” or a “choice,” but she clarified that addiction is, in fact, a sickness. She explained the common characteristics of addicts, which include loss of control, helplessness, dependency, and compulsion. She also outlined the two types of addiction: chemical (e.g., cocaine, heroin, alcohol) and non-chemical or behavioral (e.g., gambling, food, mobile, and internet addiction).
MAIN TYPES OF DRUGS:
Dr. Kiran went on to classify drugs into six types: stimulants, depressants, inhalants, hallucinogens, OxyContin, and club drugs, describing how each affects the human body. Using a PowerPoint presentation and real-life stories of drug addicts, she kept the session lively and impactful. She also discussed how drugs can enter the body—whether orally, through the nasal cavity, or via injections—and mentioned specific drugs like methamphetamine, which temporarily increases activity levels but leads to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem when its effects wear off.
OVERCOMING STIGMA: SOCIETY’S ROLE IN ADDICTION RECOVERY:
Dr. Kiran also addressed the role of society and agencies in combating drug addiction, emphasizing that society often places social stigmas around drug users, making it harder for them to seek help. She pointed out that there is a gender bias, where men are often judged less harshly for drug use than women, which creates unfair social pressures. Dr. Kiran stressed that the first step in overcoming addiction is acceptance—acknowledging that one has a problem. She encouraged those struggling with addiction to seek help without shame, consult doctors, and rely on support systems rather than suffer in silence.
CONCLUSION:
Towards the end, Dr. Kiran showed a silent short film to the audience and invited students to share their interpretations. Two students came on stage, and their accurate responses showed that the session had been effective. Dr. Kiran emphasized the need for more such sessions and requested that drug prevention awareness be included in the university’s curriculum. She also took an oath from the audience, asking them to stay focused, prioritize their well-being, and report drug abuse cases to the Anti-Narcotics Force, stressing that the youth are the future of Pakistan.
The session concluded with a round of applause for Dr. Kiran. The Dean of Social Sciences then came on stage, thanked her for her insightful talk, and praised the students for their participation. The event ended with group pictures and the patriotic song “Watan ki Mitti,” a fitting reminder that the youth are indeed the future of the nation.
