Young adult is a period of growth and accomplishment. At this time, they try to become more independent by experiencing different aspects of life, as a result, sometimes they might fall into different types of negative experiences like drug abuse. Drug abuse causes many problems, such as violence, stress, depression and so on. Like many other countries, in Bangladesh it is a terrible threat to the youth.
Therefore, as a part of the Experiential Learning Activities (ELA), the Counseling Unit of BRAC University organized a seminar titled “Learning Today, Saving Tomorrow: Awareness on Addiction” on January 18, 2017 at BRAC University Residential Campus, Savar to educate the youths of BRAC University about the negative consequences of abusing drugs. The objectives were to create awareness on tobacco and drugs, empower the students to take preventive measures to say no to drugs and support the friends to stop taking drugs.
Mr. Rehan Ahmed, Campus Superintendent of Residential Campus greeted the audience and introduced the seminar. Professor Mehtab Khanam, Chairperson, Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University of Dhaka and the Adviser of the Counseling Unit of BRAC University started the seminar and welcomed the students and discussed about the significance of mental health care. Then Ms. Monzia Mushtaq, Psychosocial Counselor and Lecturer, Counseling Unit of BRAC University discussed about the basic concepts of tobacco and drugs abuse, different types of drugs, and negative impacts of drug addiction on individual, family and society. Later on, another guest speaker, Imtiaz Simon Mahmud shared his personal experience of negative impacts of abusing drugs and how he recovered from drug addiction. His miserable life experiences regarding drugs touched the audience very much. After that Professor Mehtab Khanam, discussed about the concepts of self reflection on addiction, functions of different ego states to say NO to drugs and some important tips to prevent drug addiction. Throughout the session, several role plays were conducted by the students and the members of the Counseling Unit regarding how students can protect themselves from taking drugs. During the seminar, the students were responsive.
Concluded part was discussed by Mr. Rehan Ahmed by giving thanks to all the students of Residential Semester Spring-2017, distinguished guest speakers, members of the Counseling Unit, admin and management staff who supported to organize the seminar successfully.