As part of the activities of the 8th Damanhour Book Fair organized by the Egyptian General Book Authority at the Egypt Public Library in Damanhour, the Beheira branch of the National Council for Women, in cooperation with the Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Fund, organized an awareness seminar titled “We’re With You.. Say No to Drugs”. The seminar aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of drug use and its devastating impact on individuals, families, and society.

The seminar featured participation from Engineer Zakia Rashad, coordinator of the Beheira branch of the National Council for Women; Dr. Wael Al-Abd, representative of the Addiction Treatment Fund; Lieutenant Colonel Hamed El-Sayed El-Qardawy, inspector at the General Directorate for Drug Control in West Delta; Dr. Ahmed Zalouk, Pharmacists Syndicate head in Beheira; and Dr. Amal Abu Al-Khair, member of the National Council for Women, along with council members and ambassadors of love and peace.

In her opening speech, Engineer Zakia Rashad welcomed attendees, emphasizing that the initiative “Together with Awareness We Protect Her” is part of the National Council for Women’s efforts to enhance family awareness, especially on issues affecting youth and the nation’s future.

During his speech, Lieutenant Colonel Hamed El-Qardawy warned about the increasing spread of the drug “Ice” or “Shabu,” which has become more dangerous and widespread than heroin among youth. He noted that it causes extreme aggression and serious disturbances in sleep and the nervous system. He urged families to be alert to any behavioral changes in their children, explaining that a simple urine test can be done at pharmacies to detect drug use, and treatment is available free of charge and with complete confidentiality at approved clinics without any legal liability on the family.

Dr. Wael Al-Abd reviewed the Addiction Fund’s efforts in providing free therapeutic and psychological services through the hotline 16023, explaining that smoking is a main gateway to drug use and that awareness is the primary weapon for prevention.

Dr. Ahmed Zalouk confirmed the national role played by security and health agencies in controlling the circulation of narcotic drugs, stressing the importance of the family’s role in awareness, especially since youth represent about 65% of the Egyptian society.

At the conclusion, Dr. Amal Abu Al-Khair addressed the psychological dimensions of addiction, emphasizing that recovery is not limited to physical treatment but requires comprehensive psychological and social support to restore mental balance and social integration.

This seminar is part of a series of purposeful events organized by the 8th Damanhour Book Fair to instill a culture of awareness and social responsibility in confronting negative phenomena threatening the Egyptian family.