As part of the community service and student activities, PUA’s Community Service Center held a lecture to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking and addiction for PUA students entitled “You are stronger than smoking and addiction.” The lecture was delivered by Dr. Ahmed Refaat, Consultant Psychiatrist, Fellow of the International Society of Addiction Medicine (Canada), Director-General of the Regional Council for Mental Health in Alexandria, and Prof. Mohamed Hammam, founder and executive director of Musanadah Centers for Psychological Rehabilitation and Addiction Treatment, and a member of the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NADAAC)
The lecture began with discussing the dangers of smoking and addiction, and traditional and modern methods to quit smoking. It also defined the stages of addiction and the accompanying symptoms. Further, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Etman, PUA’s Acting Vice President for Environmental Development and Community Service Affairs, gave a speech to the students to encourage them to maintain their health, and quit these bad habits that destroy their health.
The lecture was concluded with an open discussion with the students, who extensively and positively interacted in a way that proved their interest in and benefit from the topics tackled. In addition, Dr. Etman thanked all the guests and awarded them certificates of appreciation and shields in recognition of their valuable efforts.