Reinforcing its commitment to student wellbeing and community awareness, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai was recently featured in The National, contributing expert perspectives to a story on strengthening drug prevention efforts across the UAE.
Representing MAHE Dubai, Ms. Shalini Nair, Head – Office of Student Affairs, highlighted the importance of adopting a compassionate, education-led approach to substance abuse prevention. She emphasized that awareness campaigns should go beyond simply encouraging young people to "say no" by addressing the root causes of addiction and creating supportive environments where individuals feel comfortable seeking help.
Ms. Nair noted that effective prevention begins with reducing stigma, equipping families to recognize early warning signs, improving access to professional support, and helping young people develop resilience and informed decision-making skills. She also stressed that addiction should be viewed as a health and wellbeing issue rather than solely as a moral or criminal concern.
Reflecting MAHE Dubai's proactive approach to student wellbeing, Ms. Nair also highlighted the university's ongoing awareness initiatives. Building on previous anti-vaping campaigns, MAHE Dubai is planning to collaborate with the Dubai Police Anti-Narcotics Department to conduct an educational workshop focused on drug prevention and promoting healthier, safer communities.
Click here to read more: https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/07/01/prevention-must-go-beyond-saying-no-clinics-and-schools-look-to-bolster-uae-anti-drug-campaign/
