Cairo University introduces first drug therapy diploma

CAIRO – 24 September 2017: The School of Humanities at Cairo University is introducing a diploma in drug therapy as of the current academic year, accredited by the Supreme Council of Universities. The diploma is the first of its kind in the Arab World.

Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali, who is also the chairperson of the Egyptian Fund for Drug Control and Addiction Treatment, announced on Sunday that 20 drug rehabilitation centers would be inaugurated in 12 governorates by the end of this year to provide free services for citizens.

These statements came during the opening ceremony of a workshop titled, “Applying Quality Standards for Addiction Treatment,” held in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The ministry has been coordinating with the organization since March to build skills and exchange experience on anti-drug strategies, especially the early prevention of drug use and treatment.

Experts participating in the workshop presented international standards for the treatment of drug use disorders issued in 2016.

“The International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders (Standards) were prepared by UNODC and WHO to support Member States in the development and expansion of treatment services that offer effective and ethical treatment. The goal of such treatment is to reverse the negative impact that persisting drug use disorders have on the individual and to help them achieve as full a recovery from the disorder as possible and to become a productive member of their society,” according to the UNODC website.

Wali highlighted that drug abuse is a social disease that poses a threat to national security, and incurs repercussions on all aspects of the Egyptian society. The addiction treatment hotline 16023 is currently available in 12 governorates, but will soon be introduced in four others. By the end of this year, the service will be available in Dakahleya and Matrouh governorates.

The programs implemented in Egypt start with treatment, followed by psychological rehabilitation, and end with social integration, including professional training and funds provision for small businesses.

The fund launched earlier this year a new initiative called, “New Beginning,” in collaboration with Nasser Social Bank, granting loans for recovered patients to start small projects.

The program also comprises activities to engage families in the treatment and rehabilitation processes, as well as sports and arts activities in order to abolish the stigma against recovering addicts.

The beneficiaries of the program amounted to 49,000 during the first half of this year, and 82,000 last year.

The fund is cooperating with Mentor Institute, a leading international non-governmental organization for drug abuse prevention. The fund also plans to launch several awareness campaigns, and a competition was held a few months ago for the production of anti-drug use awareness movies.


According to a 2014 study by CAPMAS, 10 percent of the population constitutes drug users, which is double the global rate, while only 2.5 percent are drug addicts, which is on par with the global rate. Twenty-seven percent of drug users and addicts are women.