On 19th November 2015, the Department of Psychology at Jinnah University for Women organized an educational seminar on the Anti-Drug Awareness Session, focusing on the alarming rise of drug addiction in Pakistan, particularly among the youth. The session aimed to spread awareness regarding narcotic substances, their psychological and physical impact, and the nationwide efforts being made to reduce drug usage.
The seminar was hosted by Ms. Sana Sher, a psychologist and faculty member at the Department of Psychology.
The main guests are:
- Maaz — Clinical Psychologist
- Hamza Mehsood — Investigation Officer, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF)
Both speakers shared their expertise, real-life experiences, and valuable knowledge with the students and faculty.
Keynotes:
Session by Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Maaz
Dr. Maaz delivered an in-depth awareness talk on drug addiction and narcotic substance abuse. His discussion covered the following important points:
- Understanding Drug Addiction:
He explained how addiction develops, why individuals continue drug use even when they are aware of the harmful consequences, and how substances hijack the brain’s reward system. - Neurotransmitters and the Brain:
Maaz discussed the role of key neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, explaining how they influence mood, pleasure, motivation, and behaviour. - Impact of Cannabis & Dopamine Release:
He highlighted that substances like cannabis increase dopamine levels excessively, creating a heightened sense of pleasure and speeding up body movements and behaviour. - Types of Drugs & Their Effects:
- Stimulants: Increase alertness, mood, and bodily functions.
- Depressants: Slow down body movements and reactions.
He also explained how these substances create long-term psychological and physical damage.
- Behavioural Signs of Drug Addiction:
Using real case examples from his clinical experience, Dr. Maaz described the behavioural patterns of individuals struggling with addiction. - Consequences of Drug Use:
Addiction leads to:- Psychotic symptoms
- Physical weakness
- Social and family conflicts
- Occupational problems
- Overall decline in productivity and life functioning
He emphasized that drug use affects the brain first, and gradually impacts the entire life of a person, including physical health, emotions, relationships, and career.
He encouraged students to stay aware, avoid curiosity-driven experimentation, and report any suspicious drug-related activities.
Session by Investigation Officer, Mr. Hamza Mehsood
After the psychological perspective, Mr. Hamza Mehsood from ANF (Anti-Narcotics Force) provided a detailed overview of Pakistan’s on-ground efforts against drug smuggling and addiction.
Key highlights from his talk:
- He shared that he has previously worked with ISI, the Drug Demand Reduction Campaign, and is currently serving in ANF.
- He informed participants that ANF successfully rescued 79 students from different universities who were involved in drug-related activities.
- He reported that their campaign has a 97% accuracy rate in identifying, investigating, and managing drug-related cases.
- He shared experiences from various operations conducted in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Peshawar, where significant amounts of narcotics were confiscated and several individuals were arrested.
Mr. Hamza highlighted a rising concern drug addiction is increasing rapidly among young women, and this issue requires urgent attention.
He also discussed ANF’s goals:
- Making Pakistan drug-free and drug-safe
- Reducing availability and access to narcotics
- Increasing student involvement in anti-drug movements
Mr. Hamza invited Jinnah University students to join future ANF youth programs and campaigns.
He also shared the official ANF helpline number: 1415 encouraging students to report any suspicious drug-related activity to help protect society.
He concluded by appreciating the university, faculty, and students for providing a platform to spread awareness.
Ms. Shazia Jabeen, HOD of the Department of Psychology, expressed her gratitude to both guests. She shared her professional insights as a psychologist and encouraged students to support national institutions like ANF in creating a healthy, drug-free society.
She appreciated the department for organizing a meaningful and powerful awareness seminar.
Seminar Outcome:
The seminar proved to be highly informative, engaging, and interactive.
- Students actively participated in the discussion.
- They asked meaningful questions, which were answered by both speakers with clarity and detail.
- The audience showed deep interest in understanding both the psychological and national-security aspects of narcotics.
The session successfully increased awareness among students about:
- The psychological mechanisms behind addiction
- The dangers and long-term effects of narcotics
- The current drug-related challenges in Pakistan
- The importance of youth involvement in prevention
The seminar concluded on a positive and motivating note, with hopes of organizing more such awareness programs in the future to build a healthier, drug-free Pakistan.
Conclusion:
Overall, the Anti-Drug Awareness Session was a valuable, eye-opening, and educational experience for students and faculty alike.
It provided psychological insight as well as national-level perspectives on the rising drug epidemic, especially among youth.
The Department of Psychology aims to continue arranging such informative events to promote awareness, responsibility, and a healthier society.
