The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) conducted an awareness session on “The Science of Drug Use Disorders” on 10 September 2024, providing students from Psychology, Counselling, Social Work and Primary Health Care with an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of substance use and its impact on health and wellbeing.

The session was delivered by Ali Adyb, an external subject-matter expert, and was attended by approximately 70 students and four staff members. The session was supported by Fathimath Maeesha, Aminath Samha and Zeenath Shakir.

The session introduced students to the scientific basis of drug use disorders and their implications for individuals and communities. By engaging with the topic from a scientific and health perspective, students were able to strengthen their understanding of substance use and consider its relevance across different areas of professional practice.

Bringing together students from four health and social care disciplines also provided an opportunity for interdisciplinary learning. Psychology, Counselling, Social Work and Primary Health Care professionals may each play different roles in responding to substance use concerns, making a shared understanding of drug use disorders valuable for future collaborative practice.

Engagement with an external subject-matter expert further enabled students to connect their academic learning with professional knowledge and perspectives. Such sessions complement classroom-based education by exposing students to specialised expertise and current practice considerations.

The awareness session reflects FHS’s commitment to providing students with relevant, interdisciplinary learning experiences that strengthen their preparation for professional practice and contribute to greater awareness of substance use and related health concerns.

The initiative contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through its focus on substance use and health, SDG 4 (Quality Education) through enriched interdisciplinary learning, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through engagement with external professional expertise.