Within the framework of the “Certified Centers” project, funded by the Netherlands Embassy, an open day entitled: “Addiction costs you your life” took place on the 23rd of May.  This was organized by Developmental Action without Borders Organization, Naba’a, in partnership with the Lebanese University Institute of Technology in Saida and in collaboration with the Civil Council against Addiction (CCAA). Yasser Dawoud, Hiba Hamzi and Raed Ataya represented Naba’a during that day. 

The drug-addiction issue was chosen by youths themselves to raise awareness amongst their peers of this problem, which is so widespread in Saida and its camps. Also, to highlight that it is up to the youths themselves to resolve this problem.  During the project a video about drug addiction made by girls from Morjan School was shown. Many slogans and posters about the same topic were posted all over the venue and the attendees were given the floor to have their say on the issue. A competition involving questions about the repercussions of drug addiction on the youths’ life, health, future and families took place. Finally, the attendees signed a petition against drug addiction.

Three hundred male and female students from the Institute of Technology were targeted through this open day and also in attendance were the heads of departments from the Institute. The First Secretary of the Netherlands Embassy, Mr. Yako also attended the event. He expressed his pride of the students for achieving such results and handed out participation certificates to the students who helped organize the open day. 

Fatima Jouni, one of the students, stated: “it is an educational activity that aims to shed   light on the dangers of addiction in general and drug addiction in particular. We made sure to organize it in the Institute to attract as many students as possible. 70% of the Institute’s students participated in the open day.”

Lama Azzam, an advocacy officer of Naba´s “Certified Centers” project stressed the importance of such an activity, as it targets those in schools and universities who are particularly vulnerable to drug abuse. This activity was implemented in cooperation with social clubs and was jointly planned with the University’s administration team.