The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has inaugurated a drug testing centre in Benin City, Edo State, in a move aimed at strengthening the early detection of alcohol and substance abuse.
The facility was described as the first of its kind in a teaching hospital in Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone and is expected to support efforts to address the health and social consequences of drug misuse across the region.
The Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu, disclosed this on Thursday at a stakeholders’ workshop on alcohol and substance abuse screening, where the centre was formally unveiled.
Ize-Iyamu said the facility represented more than the establishment of another medical service, describing it as an important step towards prevention, early intervention, safer communities and improved health outcomes.
She said substance abuse was becoming an increasing concern, with its effects extending beyond individuals to families and the wider society.
According to the CMD, alcohol and drug misuse can lead to impaired judgement, road traffic accidents, violence, family breakdown, poor academic and occupational performance and declining productivity, while severe cases can result in death.
Drugs covered by testing centre
Ize-Iyamu said the centre would screen for several substances, including amphetamines, benzodiazepines, marijuana or cannabis, ethanol, fentanyl, methadone, tramadol and barbiturates.
She explained that amphetamines, which are sometimes classified as stimulants, could cause agitation, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety and impaired judgement, with severe cases potentially resulting in psychosis or seizures.
Also speaking at the workshop, the Director of the Forensics and DNA Centre at the University of Benin, Professor Eddy Ehikhamenor, linked the rising incidence of domestic violence to substance abuse.
He called for stronger preventive measures and greater public awareness of the effects of alcohol and drug misuse on individuals, families and communities.
The workshop brought together representatives of the health, security and justice sectors to discuss strategies for tackling alcohol and substance abuse.
Those in attendance included the Edo State Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Festus O. Ebea; Commander, Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, Mitchell Ofoyeju; Chief Magistrate of the Delta State Judiciary, Mrs Tegwolo Okungbowa; and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, Monday Agbonika.
The stakeholders pledged to strengthen inter-agency collaboration in addressing the growing incidence of alcohol and substance abuse, as well as the associated health, social and security challenges.
