Students from across the country recently participated in an awareness program to highlight the physical, spiritual and social harm of using mind-altering substances.

The campaign was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education at Dar Al-Hekma University on Thursday. The female students participated in various competitions including writing essays, and producing posters and videos.

The campaign was entitled “Simply Say No. Be Smart, Don’t Start” and included speakers highlighting the physical, psychological, social, moral, financial and legal consequences of drug abuse.

Suhair Hassan Al-Qurashi, president of Dar Al-Hekma University, said the aim of the campaign was to educate young girls and women so that they are empowered to make positive choices in their lives.

Chaman Raheem, assistant professor of social sciences, said the campaign targeted young people between the ages of 15 and 30 years of age. She said drug use can cause harm in all aspects of a person’s life.

Aisha Ali, professor of Islamic studies, said a website has been developed to carry the message to the wider community, which includes a calendar of events.

The program kicked off with Lola Nagi reciting from the Qur’an. Bayan Shehab and a colleague from the neurology department explained how drugs destroy the body including the brain and various organs.

Students from the information technology department presented a dance entitled “Love life.”