The Mental Health Nursing Branch, in collaboration with the Psychological and Educational Counseling Unit and the Scientific Unit at the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Baghdad, organized a specialized workshop entitled “Drugs and their impact on mental and physical health.” The workshop was presented by Professor Qahtan Qasim Muhammad and was well attended in the college’s main hall, with the participation of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as a number of faculty members. This workshop is part of the Anti-Drug Week activities organized by the college to promote health awareness
The workshop aimed to educate students about drugs from medical, psychological, and legal perspectives, and to explain their dangers to individuals and society. It also explained the mechanism of how drugs affect the brain and nervous system, and how the clinical symptoms and signs of drug use appear. It also aimed to enhance the ability of nursing students to detect early signs of drug use or suspected addiction and deal with them correctly. It also aimed to raise health awareness of the dangers of drug use and the role of health professionals in combating it
The workshop concluded with a set of important practical recommendations, including intensifying awareness programs within universities to reduce the spread of drugs among young people and encouraging students to develop early detection and screening skills within clinical settings. It also emphasized the need for cooperation between health and academic institutions to support the Ministry of Health’s efforts to combat addiction. It also recommended adopting modern teaching methodologies to deepen students’ understanding of the mechanisms of drug effects and treatments
By organizing such workshops, the College of Nursing affirms its commitment to supporting global sustainable development goals, as this workshop directly contributes to the achievement of Goal 3: “Good Health and Well-being.” Raising awareness of the dangers of addiction and enhancing the ability of nursing staff to deal with it ensures the building of a healthier and more stable society.
