Under the supervision of the Head of the Civil and Construction Engineering Department and in line with the fourth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (Quality Education), Lecturer M.M. Mohammad Jawad Kazem organized an awareness activity titled "The Effects of Drugs on Society."<br /><br />Drugs are one of the most dangerous challenges facing societies, as they have a negative impact on individuals and lead to family breakdowns and the deterioration of social values. The harms of drugs are not limited to the addict alone; they extend to affect the security, economic, and social stability of the community.<br /><br />Social Effects of Drugs<br />Family Breakdown: Drugs lead to the deterioration of family relationships, increased divorce rates, and domestic violence.<br /><br />Crime Increase: Drug use is linked to higher rates of theft, assault, and organized crime to fund addiction.<br /><br />Weakening of Ethical Values: Drugs contribute to the deviation of youth and the spread of negative behaviors such as lying and deceit.<br /><br />Economic Effects of Drugs<br />Decreased Productivity: Addicts perform poorly at work, leading to significant economic losses.<br /><br />Increased Health Sector Burden: Treating addicts requires huge budgets to address addiction and related diseases.<br /><br />Higher Unemployment Rates: Drugs lead to job loss due to poor performance and irresponsible behavior.<br /><br />Health Effects of Drugs<br />Physical and Psychological Illnesses: Drugs cause diseases like liver failure, heart diseases, and severe depression.<br /><br />Increased Risk of Death: Overdosing on drugs can lead to sudden death or serious accidents.<br /><br />Weakened Immune System: Addicts are more susceptible to infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis.<br /><br />Ways to Combat Drugs<br />Awareness and Education: Raising awareness about the dangers of drugs through media and educational institutions.<br /><br />Strengthening Laws and Penalties: Enforcing strict penalties on drug dealers and users.<br /><br />Supporting Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers: Providing rehabilitation programs to help addicts reintegrate into society.<br /><br />Conclusion<br />Drugs represent a serious threat to any society, and efforts must be combined to reduce their spread through awareness, legislation, and providing treatment support. Eradicating this phenomenon contributes to building a safer and more stable society.<br /><br />University of Al-Mustaqbal – The First University in Iraq