The Women’s Affairs Unit at the Faculty of Nursing, University of Baghdad, in collaboration with the Pediatric Nursing Branch, organized a scientific workshop entitled “Addiction as a Neurological Disorder, Not a Crime” in the faculty’s main hall. The workshop was presented by Dr. Khatam Ghazi Attia and Dr. Abbas Fakher Makhilef from the Ministry of Justice/Iraqi Corrections Department, and was attended by a group of professors, staff, and students.
The workshop aimed to provide scientific evidence proving that addiction is a chronic brain disease that leads to radical neurochemical changes, and not merely a moral weakness. It also highlighted the pivotal role of women in providing psychological and social support to protect their children from falling into this trap, especially in light of the current era of knowledge explosion.
The workshop confirmed that addressing addiction from a scientific and therapeutic perspective directly contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), by promoting the prevention of substance abuse. These activities also intersect with Goal 5 (Gender Equality) through empowerment, the transformation of the system and the activation of women’s leadership role in protecting the security of the family and society, which contributes to building peaceful and inclusive societies for all (Goal The shift from “punishment” to “treatment and support” enhances opportunities for the integration of individuals and the development of sustainable human capital.
