By Maeri Frances

The tempo changes, September brings two eclipses and a basketful of interesting configurations. It’s time to snap out of holiday mode and get real, very, very quickly. We ease into the new month with a sensuous Venus/Mars conjunction in the early degrees of Virgo, so if your birthday fell in the last week of August it could be a rather important day. On the 6th of September, Venus turns direct in motion, get ready to face your credit card bills and salvage what remains of your summer romance! The 17th challenges us all to think clearly as Mercury once again goes retrograde. To add to the confusion, Jupiter faces off against Neptune in a powerful opposition on the same day. It’s about optimistic action getting tangled up with illusion, delusion, idealism and wishful thinking. Then realistic Saturn re-enters the truth-seeking sign of Sagittarius on the following day, no room for ‘woolly’ thinking and denial from here on it seems..

Virgo

23 August –23 September

With planets switching from direct motion to retrograde motion and vice versa this month how can we mere mortals be expected to keep on a steady course, you might ask? That inconvenient Mercury retrograde is spending time in your second house of finances, so it’s a good time to be extra cautious in money matters. Don’t make large purchases or over-extend yourself. Jupiter’s presence in your sign is a mixed blessing. It offers a safety blanket of sorts, but also can lead to a few kilos creeping on. Your best days are the 12th and 13th.

Aries

21 March –20 April

With the Moon in your birth sign as September kicks off you should be feeling empowered and ready for action. You need to be very careful to double-check that anyone you depend on for close cooperation is in the picture before you fire ahead, Mercury is stirring up our house of partnerships. The 8th is a key day for you, when your ruling planet Mars makes a powerful and supportive trine aspect to Uranus. Expect the unexpected, but remember that change is sometimes a good thing. The mood changes on the 28th as Mars enters Virgo, Streamline your work procedures, take care of your diet and health, and get super-organized.

Taurus

21 April –21 May

Family and domestic matters are still very much to the fore, and fortunately glitches that had been annoying you on the home front should fall into place after the 6th. Tempers might be a little frayed in the workplace on the 9th; it’s not a good time to be throwing your weight around. If your love life has been on the rocks, maybe the new moon in Virgo on the 13th can give you a chance to patch things up. With major activity in your fellow earth signs on the 18th, namely Pluto going direct in Capricorn and Mars entering Virgo on the 25th, it looks as though practicality and pragmatism will be key-words to cling onto as the month winds down.

Gemini

 22 May –21 June

If there’s anything Gemini enjoys it has to be variety, and September offers plenty. All those busy planets moving around in Leo, your house of communication and local travel, and Virgo, your sector of home and family can see you juggling many balls in the air all at once. You are in your element. When you manage to clear up those emails, and get the house organised, (watch out for Mars entering Virgo on the 25th) you may take time to ponder why you haven’t had time for much fun. Blame it on Mercury retrograde, and that serious Saturn surging forward in your 7th house of relationships again.

Cancer

22 June –22 July

If Cancer babes and guys have managed to tear themselves away from the seaside and head back to the city they may find a heap of work to catch up on. First task may be to sort out the finances; things could have got a bit out of control over summer. Then planets in Virgo, especially Mars after the 25th, can really give you a lot of phone calls, meetings, emails and other catching up on tasks. To top it off, Mercury in retrograde in your area of domestic life will make the job of organising the house and family just too onerous to bear. How did things get into that state? Maybe this is the time to set up a workable system.

Leo

23 July –22 August

Leos can hardly complain; things should have been sailing along rather nicely for you. When the planet of love, Venus, goes happily forward on the 6th, your love life should be exactly where you want it. Now it’s time to take a closer look at your finances, maybe you have been carried away with a feeling of bonhomie and living a little beyond your means? Never mind, with Saturn giving assistance the coming period may help you to find ways to have fun on a much tighter budget. Days to watch: an action-packed 8th and a love-infused 23rd.

Libra

24 September – 23 October

Feeling a bit confused and absent-minded? You can blame it on your hectic social life, or from the 17th onwards, on Mercury turning retrograde in your birth sign. Try to pace yourself a bit, slow down, and don’t tackle more than you can comfortably handle. When Mars moves into your solar 12th house as the month draws to a close, judgment will weigh as to how well you have been heeding friends’ advice. Find time for yourself, even though Libra is always seeking convivial company, during this period you can benefit from a bit of introspection.

Scorpio

24 October –22 November

Summer may have seen you truly claiming your place in the sun. There has been so much planetary activity going on in your career sector that there seem too many opportunities to grasp. As the action moves towards Virgo, you should set yourself into net-working mode. Follow up on summer contacts to stride forward with confidence into the winter months. Finances need scrutiny, but a serious well thought out plan should see you come out on top, with a little help from the right connections of course. Friendships could be the make-or-break factor this month in many ways..

Sagittarius

23 November –21 December

Life gets a little more serious. Yes, Saturn is back for a lengthy sojourn in your birth sign. This is a great time to pare away anything  superfluous from your surroundings and routine, learn how liberating it can be to live a more streamlined existence. The latter part of September looks good for putting well thought out plans into action, especially where finances are concerned.  Days that stand out for you could be the 17th when career opportunities seem too good to be true (they may be, so get your facts straight), and the 26th, when someone is trying to impose conditions on you.

Capricorn

22 December –20 January

Your patience may be rewarded this month, as Pluto goes back into direct motion in your birth sign. Any feelings of not being in charge of your own destiny may abate as you see the path ahead more clearly. You can benefit from some quiet time, you may be feeling a little reclusive.  Thoughts of travel may keep popping up, it’s quite possible in the coming month or two, so don’t give up on your plans.  Let the planetary energy around the 17th serve as inspiration for you, follow your dreams no matter how impossible they sometimes appear.

Aquarius

21 January –19 February

Your energy may be drawn to helping friends this month, it seems that whatever personal issues you are dealing with they may need to take a back seat.  Forces behind the scenes may seem overpowering at times, but stay true to yourself and your goals. It seems that circumstances may put you in a position where you can help someone financially, but do so wisely.  Tread carefully around the 9th, and expect any travel plans to meet a few hiccoughs from the 17th onwards when Mercury goes retrograde.

Pisces

20 February –20 March

This month the focus is more on others, so take the chance to recoup from the summer and plan for a productive last few months of the year. Work and health matters are still getting planetary support, so use your time to set a good program for the weeks ahead. It’s a month to depend on yourself, support from others may not be easy, for no other reason but their own difficult circumstances.  Career success depends very much on how well you have done your groundwork , that extra effort can pay off. So, where is the fun this month? Expect an interesting  day on the 17th when  Jupiter  and your ruling planet Neptune face off.

By Tati Hafez

Psychotherapy seems to be gaining more and more ground in Egypt lately part due to increased  public awareness. There seems to be a growing openness to seek professional help in coping with life issues, maintaining  mental health, and overcoming disorders, whether in adults or children.

Cairo West Magazine sat down with Dr. Georgette Savvides, head of Psychealth Center. Savvides has been counseling individuals for over 20 years both in Egypt and abroad, since earning a psychology degree at AUC (The American University in Cairo). She later pursued her Master’s and Doctoral degrees abroad before returning to Egypt. Savvides opened Psychealth Center – The Psychological Health Center for Services and Training – in 2009 when she realized the growing need for psychotherapy services in Egypt.

CWM: Do you think that psychotherapy is becoming less of a stigma in Egypt?

GS: Definitely. People are more oriented and more accepting, and the psychologist is seen as less threatening.

What are the services offered at Psychealth Center?

Here at Psychealth we have three lines of business. First of all it’s one-on-one counseling, which takes place in individual sessions, but we also offer couples, children, adolescents and family therapy. We have corporate training where use business psychology techniques to analyze employees’ awareness, productivity and motivation during company employee assessments. Finally, we work on educational training programs, where we prepare counselors, and run workshops for teachers, parents and kids.

What is your approach to therapy? 

We work through Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (known as CBT), which is a type of conversational therapy that works across all ages and with most disorders from depression to anxiety.

What are the most common problems you encounter with children and teens?

Kids usually come when they are having a history of aggressive behavior, growing fear and phobias, cases of enuresis, more commonly called bed-wetting at a later age. As for adolescents, we have seen a lot of eating related disorders and an increasing number of alcohol and drug addiction problems.

Which are the most recurrent learning disabilities you come across?

There are several types of learning disabilities, the most known are ADHD, ADD and dyslexia.

What are the causes for these learning disabilities?

In the case of ADHD for instance, it is caused by chemical imbalance of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. This deficiency makes a person lose attention and focus, making learning more difficult. And it is highly hereditary.

How about autism?

Autism is a neurological disorder. There are no specific reasons, it could be biological, environmental or hereditary.  Autism and learning disabilities are two separate disorders. However,  they are both cases of children with special needs.

How can you identify a child struggling with learning difficulties?

Again, in the case of ADHD we need to consider the child in two different settings, for instance at home and at school. The early signs are more obvious in the pre-school years.

What is the approach or treatment?

One to one therapy where we work with behavior modification by applying strategies, that will help the child deal with his homework, focus in class, and organize himself by setting a schedule.

Can you tell us more about diagnosing children with ADHD?

Labeling a child ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or depressed only serves the psychologist assisting the child in order to write the right treatment plan. A “naughty” or agitated kid is not necessarily an ADHD child, but needs attention as child depression can be disguised in hyper-aggression.

How can a parent tell if their child needs help or if they are just misbehaving?

One thing is the natural course of development for a child or an experimentation phase, however if a child is having episodes for more than a month it is good to seek help.

What are the steps to correct this behavior?

The important step is to have a family session with open communication to be followed by cooperation with parents outside the sessions.

So parents have a very important role in the treatment. How do they help?

Parents are involved throughout the therapy. They have a very important role, as whatever happens in the session needs to be followed up. It needs consistency, like doing homework.

Cooperation with parents is extremely important for the success of the treatment.

And teachers? Children spend a good amount of time with them. Are they prepared to assess early signs of mental health issues?

Unfortunately, teachers lack training in this aspect. In most cases a child goes through a lot of difficulties without the right assistance.

Your center offers a variety of workshops and Youth Camps, what themes do you cover in your workshops?

We have workshops for grown-ups and teachers and another separate one for kids. We cover themes like anti-bullying, building self-confidence, and positive parenting skills where parents learn how to handle kids’ disorders and how to work with difficult or ADHD children.

What are the benefits for teachers attending the workshops?

The benefits are endless. From improving their teaching skills, to their rapport with children, teachers might save a child from early intervention.

How about for parents?

They learn how handle their kids’ disorders, how to work with difficult ADHD children, and learning disabilities.

What about the Youth Camps?

Our Youth Camp revolves around wellness and well-being themes and it caters to kids from 7 to 15 years old. The camp is held over a three-day period, on the third day we have a planned daily trip to Fagnoon or the Egyptian Food Bank. During the camp we offer a variety of activities like cooking, recycling, sports, community service, arts and crafts and drama and theater.

What would be your advice for parents who suspect something is just not right?

Drop “Dr. Google”, or calling your friends for advice, which could just end up being about punishment and firmness. Drop the shame, seek consultation, and seek professional guidance. It is confidential and it is affordable. Your head was created first. It says a lot. When the mind is not fine the body collapses.  It is very important to take care of the state of your

A New Season of Music, Concerts, & Classical Masterpieces

By Amina El Fayoumy

A little over 50-years old, The Cairo Symphony Orchestra (CSO) was established in 1959 under the leadership of its first music director and conductor Franz Litschauer who was later succeeded by two Egyptian conductors, Ahmed Ebeid and Youssef Elsisi. During the golden era, the orchestra delivered symphonic concerts, and backed opera and ballet performances of local and international companies like the Bolshoi and the Royal Ballet of London.

Under the baton of Maestro Ahmed El-Saeedi as its music director and principal conductor, The CSO has played a pivotal role in integrating classical music within the community, creating awareness about international composers, refining Egyptian preferences in music, as well as adopting young gifted Egyptian musicians and conductors. El-Saeedi, one of the best-renowned figures on the Egyptian classical music scene, prides himself on countless partnerships with famous orchestras worldwide, numerous concerts in Egypt and in many prominent international halls.

The main features of the CSO programme for the 2015-2016 Season, which debuts September 5th, are yet to be announced but the information disclosed by Maestro El-Saeedi seems exciting. “This season, we continue to celebrate the works of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu, and Belgian/French composer Cesar Franck,” says El-Saeedi. The CSO will perform almost 71 concerts at the main hall and small hall at the Cairo Opera House, the Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darweesh Theatre), and the Damanhoor Opera House. “Besides Egyptian soloists, we’re also planning to invite international soloists to take part in our concerts.”

As for international commitments, The CSO is planning an overseas tour in Germany from September 20th to 27th, where they will perform in Berlin and other surrounding cities. The orchestra’s performance season in Egypt is always accompanied by a highly praised international tour.

Our conversation with Maestro El-Saeedi reflected the CSO’s commitment to remain actively involved with the community at large; the orchestra has to reach out to the society and not alienate itself. “Our aim is to bridge the gap between classical music and potential new listeners. This cannot be achieved by solely being reduced to the Saturday Concerts, which target and attract our classical music regulars who come to enjoy heavy symphonic pieces. To implement this, we will present several lighter concerts featuring international music pieces which will target new and potential audience,” explains El-Saeedi. The diversity of the programming components is essential for expanding the symphony’s audience base.

The CSO stages different kinds of concerts: the regular Saturday Concerts at the main hall of the Cairo Opera House, and the Friday Matinee Family Concerts where parents and children can enjoy a program of light-character international music pieces, especially tailored to the youngest listeners. The CSO is also planning to take music to universities and schools. “School Concerts (to be held in October, November and April) will give young school children an idea about classical music and the orchestra because they are our perspective future listeners. We perform a group of several lighter concerts celebrating special occasions like the New Year Concerts in Cairo, Alexandria and Damanhour, the Spring Concerts and Saint Valentine’s Concerts. We also hold chamber concerts at the small hall of the Cairo Opera House.”

The CSO’s promotion strategy varies according to the type of activity. “Most of our events are advertised on our website, (www.cairo-symphony.com), which we aspire to improve next season. We send out emails to our list of regular audience members, print flyers for monthly events, and a booklet for the whole season’s events, which will be out early September.”

There’s a constant need to reinforce the orchestra with new fresh members. “To maintain that, we approach musical institutions to identify new talents and ask them to audition for me before I decide whether or not to add them to the orchestra. When I distinguish a talent, I include them in the already prefixed programmes. They rehearse and appear on the night.”

The Orchestra Academy brings promising young Egyptian musicians together to teach them the fundamentals of orchestral performance. “I give new players the opportunity of a one year contract to be trained by the principal players of the orchestra. We train them and they audition again for vacant positions to be accepted as permanent members of the orchestra.” This new trend, existing in almost every large orchestra in Europe, helps shape musicians before they join the main CSO body.

The CSO always tries to nurture new talent and promote young Egyptian musicians. “This season, for instance, I am presenting two young soloists: 12 year-old Salma Sorour who is going to perform as a soloist in a concerto with the orchestra and a 13 year-old violinist who’s going to play the Wieniawski concerto with the orchestra.” The CSO does not grant scholarships for young aspiring musicians, per se; these are usually offered by the Cairo Opera House and the Ministry of Culture. “Sometimes, we organise open workshops to train young conductors free of charge.”

The CSO hopes to preserve Egypt’s cultural heritage and keep it alive by promoting Egyptian composers who composed for the symphony orchestra and including them in its programme through concerts totally devoted to honour their names and work.

The Cairo Symphony Orchestra seems like it’s about to unveil one of its most promising and ambitious seasons yet; we can’t wait!

Young talent with fresh ideas and dreams of entering the hectic and sometimes crazy world of design, writing and publishing.

We loved having you in our Cairo West Magazine team this summer – a big thank you to you all for your valuable contribution.

Name: Nadeen Abd ElHady

School: El Alsson School

Age: 17 years old

Name: Lucy Philip

School: MSA University

Age: 22 years old

Name: Salma Khalil

School: GUC University

Age: 20 years old

Name: Yasmine Haggag

School: Choueifat International School

Age: 16 years old

Name: Yasmina Kalaaoui

School: AIS

Age: 14 years old

If you’re interested in applying for our Winter Internship during December, please send your cv to editor@cairowestmag.com

By Nadeen Abd El Hady

@a.hamdydesigns

Ahmed Hamdy has carved a niche for himself on the Internet as a male fashion icon. He is a man who knows how to wear his suits. With his expertise as a fashion designer, Hamdy’s on-point style is an inspiration to all men to dress their best.

@aliaaelesseily

Aliaa’s account is an edgy and eclectic expanse of high-fashion meets street style garb. Through her experience as a stylist, personal shopper, and makeup artist, she can provide you with a daily dose of unconventional and sassy fashion and lifestyle inspiration.

@egyptrepresent

From the serenity of Sinai to the beauty of the Nile, this account allows people to share their amazing photos of picturesque Egypt. Rejuvenating pride in Egypt’s natural splendor, the photo feed  encourages visitors to see the country in a different light.

@ddinaali

Dina Ali’s unique eye captures everyday Egypt like no one else. Subtle and understated images pack a punch in this playful photo feed.

@sallyrashidmakeup

Sally is one very talented makeup artist who works on anything from bridal makeup, to high fashion looks for photography and fashion shows. Her posts show her incredible talent, distinct taste in color combinations, and her understanding of her clients’ style.

@maisonyeya

We all know the struggle of finding a one-of-a-kind, memorable wedding gown in Egypt, and Yasmine Yeya is here to save the day. Her account is full of gorgeous, handmade gowns that are guaranteed to make anyone feel outstanding on their big day. Yeya  received training from Ellie Saab in the early 2000’s, which adds to her impressive couturier-like craftsmanship.

@scrumptious_gk

Although she’s new to the foodie scene, Ghalia Kattan has quickly gained popularity and become of the best foodies in Cairo. Her account is full of mouthwatering dishes, tasty recipes, as well as the best picks from many restaurants and cafés.

@tastecairo

Another one for tummy rumbles, this account has the best of the best of food in Cairo. From shawerma to sushi, this account allows people from all over Egypt to upload their pictures of delicious dishes to introduce new items or to bring people together over the love of appetizing food.

Egypt’s First Ice Cream Van,

Gelato on Wheelz

By Tati Hafez

There you are, sitting inside your home when you hear the distinctive sound coming from around the corner, you glance through the window to find a charming pink ice-cream van driving by. This scenario is no longer exclusive to countries abroad. Egypt’s first ice-cream van – Gelato on Wheelz – launched its operation during the summer in one of the biggest compounds in the North Coast. The van could be seen roaming all day, playing the traditional chimes and attracting the curiosity of children and adults alike. Cairo West Magazine went after the story behind this brilliant idea.

The concept of Gelato on Wheelz is simple, a wide selection of fresh ice-cream at your doorstep with a nostalgic twist. “Initially we had considered importing a finished van but decided to take a more adventurous approach by building one locally in order to minimize costs,” says Ahmed Hafez, the man behind Egypt’s first ice-cream van. “We started from scratch. The major challenge was to find local suppliers and put all the pieces together to work in harmony. We got our music box with eight different chimes and ice-cream cones to light up the front of the van from the UK. Everything else was purchased and developed here in Cairo. And it was a learning experience for all those involved in this project. Thankfully it paid off!”

Gelato on Wheelz teamed up with Rigoletto to supply the ice-cream. Najla Rizk, Managing Partner at Rigoletto had shared the same idea and was very eager to be part of the country’s first ice-cream van. The team hopes to redefine community dynamics by introducing the friendly local ice-cream van into the neighborhoods and compounds. To the older generation, it evokes memories of the famous Groppi tricycles calling out “Groppi, Groppi, Ice-cream Groppi!” To the younger generation, it is the latest trend in mobile vending outlets. Gelato on Wheelz is not restricted to summer business and they are currently building a schedule for roaming specific compounds in greater Cairo and taking bookings for private events.

“There were many lessons learned this year, but all the hard work paid off when we lit the ice-cream cones and played the chimes for the first time. It was great to see kids running behind the van on their bikes with surprise and happiness on their faces,” said Hafez, “after all, there is no better way to enjoy your ice-cream.”

Essam Youssef Addresses Drug Addiction in our Society

By Hilary Diack

“In every house, in every big family, there is an addict.” It may sound harsh, but writer Essam Youssef has the credentials and experience to know what he is talking about. His best-seller, A 1/4 Gram is based on a true story and deals with the path to addiction without pulling any punches. From the first tentative puff of a joint at a party, to experimentation with substances that have a different  ‘kick’, and on to the almost inevitable downward spiral when the body has reached a point where it can only struggle on with increasing larger doses of the ‘fix’. Cairo West Magazine sat with him to discuss his book, and the impact it has had, as well as his ongoing work in the community to increase awareness on the dangers of drug use.

CWM: Essam, how did you come to learn so much about the problems of drug abuse and addiction In Egypt?

It goes back to the 80’s, when I was in school. Even then, drugs were everywhere. I always felt a need to tell people about the reality, so as I became older I became a researcher with a dream of making a movie to expose the problem, something that would show the real facts, not just a seductive, and glamorized soap-style version.

How endemic is the problem, and where are the most common places young people get introduced to drugs?

Beyond the scope of your imagination, drugs are everywhere. You cannot single out one place and ignore the others. Basically you are talking about any place where young people gather.

What age groups are the most vulnerable?

Starting from as young as 11. Kids know about drugs from a very early age, and soon learn where they can be found. The danger is that at that age they are very open to exploring and experimenting in everything, a normal and healthy phase of learning and growing up. Everything is “why?”

Which drugs are the most abused, and what are the associated risks?

It’s a misconception that the so-called ‘soft’ drugs are not harmful. Even a few puffs from a cigarette can lead to trying the marijuana-derived bango and hashish, which in turn can lead to trying heroin, crack, cocaine, amphetamines and opiates like Tramadol. It’s like a train; you don’t know when and where it will stop. With addictive drugs, the first few times the user feels enjoyment with a small dose, but quickly needs larger and larger doses to feel the same effect. The general state of health deteriorates and this soon leads to needing very large doses, not to feel the same ‘high’, but to even feel that they can function. The pleasure aspect is gone very early in the game. In order to find money to meet the body’s craving it regularly leads to a loss of previously held moral standards. An addict can feel he or she has no option at times but to lie or steal, even from those closest to them.

There are drug types found at every level of the community, with the so-called A-class showing a preference for cocaine, while amphetamines and bango are fairly universal.

What are the main traits of a personality with addictive tendencies?

Let’s face it: we are all addicts. To social media, our hobbies, sports, working out, our favorite foods, alcohol or drugs, the list is endless. Some individuals are addicted to sex or violence. There are 55 identified types of addiction, drugs are just part of that. It just depends on your age and circumstances. It is easy to get sucked in through peer activity.

What are the steps in dealing with someone who has a drug problem?

Seek professional help immediately. There is no room for trial and error, or going to amateurs for help. The problem is real and dangerous. The center Sandook Mokafahat Al Edman Wi Al Ta’aty has highly trained specialized doctors

and staff who are of great help. They can be found through the website: www.drugcontrol.org.eg

What social conditions are likely to lead young people to get caught up in drugs?

There’s no one reason. Children from well-off families are often involved. Over-indulgent, inattentive parenting helps to feed the phenomenon. There is also a lot of unawareness and inexperience from the family’s side.

So, do you feel that families tend to go into denial mode when there is a suspicion of drug use?

No parent wants to believe that their child uses drugs, so when a child says that they just tried something once out of curiosity the parents are often more than happy to accept that and drop the subject.

Do people now understand that addiction is an illness and not just deviant behavior?

There is a gradual improvement as the subject is being brought out more into the open.

From your experience what protective measures can parents take to steer children away from taking that path?

One of the helping factors has been my book, A 1/4 Gram, it has been a real eye-opener for many parents. As a parent myself, I strongly recommend that parents and kids read it together chapter by chapter. It is a true story, and like a dictionary, it gives a very detailed idea of what drugs are used, the whole culture surrounding drug use and how kids are approached. I spent two years of my life working on this book to help spread the message. A key factor is that parents have to be willing to discuss the issue of drugs in an open and non-accusatory way with their kids, to give informed guidance and support. Threats of punishment will just drive the whole matter into hiding. The worst thing you can do is forbid them to dabble, kids are naturally rebellious!

It seems then that your book has been very effective in spreading awareness of the problem.

Yes, I believe so. For example, one of Egypt’s leading psychiatrists and addiction experts, Dr. Nasser Loza, actually uses the book as part of his treatment plan. We also worked closely together on a committee to tackle drug prevention in Egypt and the GCC communities, more information about that can be found on www. mentorarabia.org. Dr. Loza has a very human perspective and years of experience in the field and his work can be considered at the forefront of treatment in Egypt.

We know that your mission extends further than bringing awareness through your book. Can you tell us about your project?

As schools are a concentrated gathering point for our youth we bring the message to them directly. The idea actually came through a 15-year-old who had read my book and asked me to come and give a talk at his school. Unfortunately, to date there has been remarkably little done in terms of drug education at any level in schools. As a result, in 2010 I set a up a program of visits to schools, universities clubs and cultural centers. We hold interactive discussion groups, not simply lectures. In these sessions, young people can voice their opinions, questions and concerns freely. To date we have covered more than 150 venues, meeting over 150,000 students.

I am currently starting my 2015 drug awareness road show now in September, and wholeheartedly invite schools, universities and clubs to contact me to arrange a visit. There is no fee, and any contributions received go directly to purchasing copies of A 1/4 Gram for the school libraries.