The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has proposed partnership with the Edo Ministry of Education on drug testing, counseling and follow-up support for students.
The proposed partnership is part of measures to prevent substance abuse among young people in the state.
The Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Mrs Idia Ize-Iyamu, made the proposal on Wednesday in Benin, during a courtesy visit to the state Commissioner for Education, Dr Washington Osifo.
Ize-Iyamu said that the hospital’s recently inaugurated drug testing centre provided an opportunity to extend confidential and non-invasive screening to schools as part of a broader preventive approach.
According to her, the initiative will go beyond identifying students who use substances to exposing them to the health risks and consequences of drug use and providing professional counseling, medical advice and follow-up where necessary.
She said testing could be conducted by UBTH professionals in schools or at the hospital, depending on the arrangement reached with the ministry.
Responding, Osifo expressed appreciation to UBTH for the initiative and said the ministry was ready to explore collaboration with the hospital on the proposed programme.
The commissioner said the programme would provide an avenue for students to discuss concerns about substance use, peer pressure and related challenges, while enabling schools and health professionals to respond appropriately.
He said parents would also be important partners in the effort particularly through closer communication with their children and schools.
Also speaking, Adebola Ehizele, Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (Research and Ethics), UBTH, said the hospital was ready to work with the ministry to develop a structured, professional and evidence-based framework for the programme.
He said the framework would provide clear procedures for sample collection, testing, interpretation of results, counseling and follow-up, while protecting the confidentiality of students involved.
According to him, linking screening with counseling and appropriate support will make the programme useful for early identification, prevention and intervention.
NAN reports that UBTH recently inaugurated a drug testing centre following its second ”Special Stakeholders’ Workshop” on alcohol and substance abuse screening held on Aug. 20.
The workshop brought together stakeholders to discuss early detection and intervention and advocated wider screening in workplaces, school environments and other settings.