On 9 October 2026, Shifa College of Medicine hosted an anti-narcotics awareness seminar for first- and second-year medical students. The session was organized by Dr Maryam Chaudhry in collaboration with the Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, highlighting the growing importance of addressing substance use and its impact on young people. The seminar featured Dr Col. Malik Ayub Awan, who was invited as the keynote speaker.
Dr. Col. Malik Ayub Awan (Retd.), PhD, MSc, leads the Drug Demand Reduction Campaign in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, bringing extensive experience in military service, education, and youth counselling. Associated with the Department of Psychology at Foundation University Islamabad, he regularly collaborates with the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) to promote drug prevention and addiction awareness.
The event was attended by the Head of Department, Dr Ahmed Abdullah, along with other faculty members.
Dr Awan delivered an informative and engaging session on the growing challenge of narcotic drug use in Pakistan, with particular emphasis on the risks and challenges faced by young people. Encouraging active participation, he invited students to share their perspectives and engaged in an open discussion. He explored the prevalence of substance use in the country, highlighted its far-reaching consequences, and offered practical strategies that students could adopt to help prevent drug use and raise awareness within their own communities. He emphasized the importance of collective responsibility and urged students to play an active role in addressing this pressing public health concern.
The seminar concluded with an closing remarks by the head of department Community Medicine Dr.Ahmed Abdullah and presented a shield to the guest speaker.
