Edo: UBTH, Education Ministry to Partner on Student Drug Screening

The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has proposed a partnership with the Edo State Ministry of Education aimed at introducing drug testing, counselling and follow-up support for students, as part of broader efforts to curb substance abuse among young people in the state.

The proposal was made by the hospital's Chief Medical Director, Mrs Idia Ize-Iyamu, on Wednesday in Benin, during a courtesy visit to the state Commissioner for Education, Dr Washington Osifo.

Ize-Iyamu said UBTH's recently inaugurated drug testing centre presents an opportunity to extend confidential, non-invasive screening to schools as part of a wider preventive strategy. She explained that the initiative would go beyond identifying students who use substances, aiming also to expose them to the health risks associated with drug use while providing professional counselling, medical advice and follow-up support where needed.

According to her, testing could either be carried out by UBTH professionals within schools or at the hospital itself, depending on the arrangement eventually agreed with the ministry.

Responding, Osifo thanked UBTH for the initiative and said the ministry was open to exploring collaboration on the proposed programme. He noted that such a scheme would give students a platform to raise concerns about substance use, peer pressure and related challenges, while allowing schools and health professionals to respond appropriately. He added that parents would also play a key role, particularly through closer communication with their children and schools.

Also speaking, Adebola Ehizele, Deputy Chairman of UBTH's Medical Advisory Committee (Research and Ethics), said the hospital was prepared to work with the ministry to develop a structured, professional and evidence-based framework for the programme. He said the framework would set out clear procedures for sample collection, testing, interpretation of results, counselling and follow-up, while safeguarding the confidentiality of students involved.

He added that linking screening with counselling and appropriate support would make the programme more effective for early identification, prevention and intervention.

The 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 stakeholders together to discuss early detection and intervention, and called for wider screening in workplaces, schools and other settings.