The PR & Communications Department of Ziauddin University organized the 22nd session of ZU DIALOGUES under the theme, “Youth at Risk: The Growing Threat of Drug Addiction in Educational Institutions,” aimed at raising awareness about the concerning rise of substance abuse within academic settings. The event highlighted the importance of identifying root causes and encouraged collaboration among students, faculty, and parents to safeguard educational environments.
The session featured prominent experts, including Sarah Jehangir, Principal of the College of Clinical Psychology at Ziauddin University; Dr. Salman Shahzad, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Karachi; Dr. Umair Mahmood Siddiqui, an esteemed Islamic scholar and former member of the Council of Islamic Ideology; and former Pakistani cricketer Sikandar Bakht. The session was hosted by Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Umrani, Director ORIC, Ziauddin University.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Dr. Nida Hussain emphasized the severity of the issue, stating, “Our campuses, once centers of learning, are now being targeted by organized networks using them as distribution hubs for illicit substances. At Ziauddin University, we uphold a strict zero-tolerance policy on drugs.” She highlighted that institutions meant to nurture young minds are now at risk of becoming breeding grounds for drug abuse. Dr. Hussain urged immediate and united action from educators, parents, policymakers, and communities to restore the sanctity of these academic spaces and ensure they remain places of growth and intellectual development.
The Vice Chancellor of Ziauddin University, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Inayatullah Khan, also reiterated the need for collective efforts to address the rising menace of drug addiction in educational settings, reaffirming the university’s steadfast commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all students.
