Equal Opportunities and Gender Equality Unit

Dangers of Drugs and the Criminal and Disciplinary Consequences of Drug Use

The Equal Opportunity and Gender Equality Unit at Misr University for Science and Technology Participates in an Awareness Session on the Dangers of Drugs and the Criminal and Disciplinary Consequences of Drug Use

The Equal Opportunities and Gender Equality Unit at Misr University for Science and Technology participated in the awareness seminar organized by the National Council for Women entitled “Awareness of the Harms of Drugs and the Criminal and Disciplinary Liability of Drug Abuse.” The event was held on Monday, May 18, 2026, at Hatshepsut Hall, National Council for Women headquarters in Nasr City, in response to a kind invitation from Counselor Amal Ammar, President of the National Council for Women.
The university was represented by Prof. Dr. Engy Badawy, Executive Director of the Unit, and Dr. Marina Maurice, Unit Coordinator.
During the seminar, Dr. Nesreen El-Baghdady emphasized that drug abuse has become one of the most serious challenges threatening Egyptian society, especially with the spread of synthetic substances and newly emerging drugs. She stressed the importance of understanding the dimensions and causes of this phenomenon in order to develop effective preventive policies, highlighting the role of the family as the first line of defense against addiction.
Dr. Dina Shokry also explained that addiction represents a serious challenge to the family and society due to its health, psychological, and social consequences. She emphasized the importance of raising community awareness, strengthening prevention efforts, providing psychological and social support to young people, and ensuring cooperation among state institutions, families, and civil society to confront this issue.
During the session “An Addict in Your Home: How to Detect Him? Methods of Prevention and Treatment,” Dr. Samir Fouad Abou El-Magd highlighted the importance of prevention through awareness of the dangers of drugs, alcohol, internet addiction, and gambling. He also stressed the family’s role in the early detection of behavioral or psychological changes in children and the importance of rapid intervention through treatment and psychological support to prevent relapse.
Ms. Aya El-Dabaa reviewed the role of the national strategy for combating addiction, which focuses on reducing both supply and demand through awareness and prevention efforts. She also highlighted the role of the Women’s Complaints Office and the consultation hotline 15115, in coordination with the Fund for Drug Control and Treatment of Addiction, as well as raising awareness of the legal penalties related to drug abuse and possession.
Dr. Ahmed El-Kattamy presented the role of the hotline 16023 in providing confidential support and counseling to addiction patients and their families. He confirmed that treatment is provided free of charge in specialized centers that depend on psychological and behavioral rehabilitation and continuous follow-up.
This participation reflects the Unit’s commitment to supporting community awareness efforts, promoting a culture of prevention and protection within and beyond the university community, and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly good health and well-being, gender equality, and building safe and stable societies.