UBTH CMD raises alarm over drug abuse among students, seeks urgent action

From Tony Osauzo, Benin

Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Idia Ize-Iyamu, has raised concern over rising drug and substance abuse among students in secondary and tertiary institutions, calling for urgent and sustained intervention by governments.

Ize-Iyamu said tackling the problem would require more than identifying drug users, stressing the need for confidential screening, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation to prevent affected young people from slipping deeper into substance dependence.

She spoke during a courtesy visit to Edo State Commissioner for Education, Washington Osifo, in Benin, where she sought collaboration between UBTH and the state government to address drug abuse among students.

The CMD said UBTH’s newly unveiled Drug Testing Centre, which has the capacity to test for more than 14 substances, could provide a platform for early detection and intervention.

She advocated routine but confidential screening in schools, accompanied by counselling and appropriate support for students found to be using drugs.

“We look forward to partnering with the Edo State Ministry of Education to safeguard the future of our students,” Ize-Iyamu said.

According to her, the programme could be implemented by deploying UBTH teams to schools to conduct tests or arranging for students to visit the hospital’s facility.

She stressed that the objective was not merely to identify students using drugs, but to ensure that those requiring help received counselling, medical advice, follow-up care and, where necessary, rehabilitation.

Osifo commended UBTH for identifying the challenge and proposing what he described as a practical intervention.

He expressed the state government’s readiness to explore collaboration with the hospital, adding that such intervention need not be restricted to students and schools.

At the meeting were members of UBTH’s Core Management Team, including Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee and Director of Clinical Services, Emmanuel Osaigbovo; Director of Administration, Jim Uwadiae; Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (Research and Ethics), Adebola Ehizele; and Director of Nursing Services, Grace Arheghan, among others.

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