College of Law

The Role of Academic Institutions in Raising Awareness of the Dangers of Drugs
A Legal Awareness Article
Dr. Ahmed Fares Idris
University of Mosul – College of Law
Introduction:
Drug crimes represent one of the most serious challenges facing contemporary societies due to their devastating effects on public health, social security, and the national economy. Studies have proven that legal and educational awareness forms the cornerstone of prevention, placing academic institutions at the forefront of entities capable of confronting this danger.

First: The Legal Dimension of Drug Crimes: The Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law No. (50) of 2017 is the fundamental legal framework for combating this phenomenon in Iraq. The legislator criminalized the production, trafficking, and use of drugs and imposed severe penalties on:

1. Those who promote or traffic in narcotic substances.

2. Those who possess or use prohibited substances.

3. Those who incite, facilitate, or finance any activity related to drugs.

The importance of the role of universities in raising students’ awareness of these penalties and highlighting the legal and social risks resulting from engaging in criminal behavior is paramount.

Second: The Role of Academic Institutions in Prevention and Awareness:

1. Spreading Legal Awareness: Universities, particularly law schools, contribute to enhancing legal awareness among students through:

a. Including courses on drug-related crimes within the criminal law curriculum.

b. Organizing seminars and workshops in cooperation with relevant authorities.

c. Supporting scientific research that addresses the legal and social aspects of this phenomenon.

2. Early Prevention Programs: Academic institutions play a vital preventive role through:

a. Educational lectures presented by specialists in mental health and law.

b. Raising awareness of the health, social, and psychological effects of drug use.

c. Promoting a culture of early detection of risky behaviors among students.

3. Empowering Students: Activating the role of students in volunteer initiatives and university activities contributes to creating a supportive environment for awareness and prevention, and strengthens the values ​​of responsibility and legal commitment within the university community.

Third: Cooperation Between Universities and Government Agencies: Combating drugs requires close cooperation between universities and the Ministries of Interior and Health through:

a. Hosting officers and trainers from the Anti-Narcotics Directorate. B. Joint awareness campaigns regarding health and legal harms.

C. Exchange of data and expertise in the field of addiction and prevention.

Fourth: The University’s Ethical and Social Responsibility: The ethical role of academic institutions is represented in:

1. Strengthening students intellectually and behaviorally.

2. Creating a safe learning environment free from deviant practices.

3. Spreading a culture of adherence to the law and respect for societal values.

Conclusion: Academic institutions remain one of the most important lines of defense against the drug phenomenon, through combining legal awareness with a preventative approach. Establishing a culture of legal responsibility among students represents an investment in the long-term security and stability of society.

Sources:

1. Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law No. (50) of 2017 – Republic of Iraq.

2. Iraqi Penal Code No. (111) of 1969, as amended – Articles related to drug crimes, incitement, and facilitation. 3. Abdul Qader Al-Qahwaji, International Criminal Law, Dar Al-Jami’a Al-Jadeeda, Alexandria, 2015.

4. Abdul Sattar Abu Ali, Drug Crimes: A Legal and Social Study, Dar Al-Thaqafa for Publishing and Distribution, Amman, 2018.

5. Latifa Al-Dulaimi, Addiction and Drugs: A Psychosocial Study, Dar Ghayda for Publishing, Amman, 2020.

6. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) – World Drug Reports, 2018–2024.

7. World Health Organization (WHO) – Guidelines on the Prevention of Drug Use Among Young People.