Health
UBTH CMD urges govt to tackle drug abuse among students
Janet Ogundepo
The Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Prof Idia Ize-Iyamu, has urged governments at all levels to urgently address the rising wave of drug and substance abuse among students in secondary and tertiary institutions.
Ize-Iyamu made the call during a courtesy visit to the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr Washington Osifo, in Benin, on Wednesday.
The CMD stressed the need for deliberate and sustained interventions to address drug and substance abuse among young people, including confidential screening and counselling of students to enable early intervention.
She highlighted UBTH’s newly unveiled Drug Testing Centre, which can test for more than 14 substances, describing it as a vital resource for addressing drug-related issues.
Ize-Iyamu advocated routine student screening in schools to facilitate early identification of drug use, counselling and confidential support services for affected students.
She said the initiative could be implemented through different approaches, including having the hospital’s team visit schools to conduct the tests or having students visit UBTH for screening.
The CMD said the proposed intervention was not aimed merely at identifying students who may be using drugs but also at providing counselling, advice and follow-up care.
She said students requiring further support would be able to access appropriate care and rehabilitation at UBTH.
“We look forward to partnering with the Edo State Ministry of Education to safeguard the future of our students,” Ize-Iyamu said.
In response, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr Washington Osifo, thanked UBTH for identifying the challenge and proposing a practical approach to address it.
Osifo assured that the state government was ready to explore collaboration with UBTH on the initiative.
He added that the intervention should not necessarily be restricted to students and schools alone.
Members of the UBTH Core Management Team who attended the meeting included the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee and Director of Clinical Services, Dr Emmanuel Osaigbovo; Director of Administration, Jim Uwadiae; Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (Research and Ethics), Prof Adebola Ehizele; and Director of Nursing Services, Mrs Grace Arheghan, among others.
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