UBTH opens drug testing centre, targets early detection, intervention, safer communities

From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin

The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has commissioned a Drug Testing Centre as part of efforts to strengthen the early detection, prevention and management of substance abuse and its associated health and safety challenges.

The facility was unveiled during the opening of the hospital’s 2nd Special Intervention and Stakeholders Workshop, which brought together stakeholders from the healthcare sector, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Police Force, Judiciary and Edo State Ministry of Public Safety and Security.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, described the centre as more than a new facility, saying it represented a significant step towards prevention, early intervention, safer communities and improved health outcomes.

Ize-Iyamu said substance abuse had become an increasing concern, with consequences ranging from impaired judgment, road traffic accidents and violence to broken families, poor academic and occupational performance, declining productivity and loss of lives.

According to her, the centre is equipped to test for a range of substances, including amphetamines, benzodiazepines, marijuana/cannabis, ethanol, fentanyl, methadone, tramadol and barbiturates.

She explained that the dangers associated with substance use vary according to the substance involved, noting that amphetamines could cause agitation, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety and impaired judgment, while severe cases could lead to psychosis or seizures.

She said benzodiazepines could cause excessive sedation, impaired coordination and memory problems, adding that the risks become particularly serious when combined with alcohol or opioids.

On cannabis, the CMD said it could impair memory, concentration, coordination and judgment and, in some individuals, contribute to severe anxiety, paranoia and other psychological problems.

She added that methadone, despite its legitimate medical applications, could cause dangerous sedation and respiratory depression when misused or combined with other substances.

Ize-Iyamu stressed that the risk did not always arise from the use of a single substance, as combinations of drugs could significantly increase the likelihood of severe complications.

She said this made drug testing an important tool, not only for identifying substances but also for detecting risks before they resulted in tragedies.

According to her, establishing the centre within a tertiary healthcare institution gives UBTH an added advantage because patients who test positive can immediately be connected to appropriate medical intervention.

“When a problem is identified, we have the doctors, nurses, laboratory professionals, emergency teams and specialists who can assess the patient, manage complications and provide or facilitate appropriate treatment,” she said.

She said the centre was designed to create a pathway from detection to intervention, rather than making testing an end in itself.

The CMD said the participation of the NDLEA, police, Judiciary, Ministry of Public Safety and Security and other stakeholders underscored the multi-sectoral nature of substance abuse.

She described substance abuse as simultaneously a public health, safety, social and human issue that required collaboration among healthcare institutions, law enforcement agencies, government, families and communities.

Ize-Iyamu commended the hospital team, staff, partners and other individuals and organisations whose contributions made the establishment of the centre possible.

She said the facility was expected to support early detection, faster intervention, better clinical decision-making and improved emergency response, while contributing to broader efforts to reduce the consequences of substance abuse.

“Behind every test is a human being. Behind every positive result is a person who may need help. Behind every emergency is a family. And behind every intervention is an opportunity to prevent tragedy,” the hospital stated.

Representing Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, the Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Festus Ebea, expressed confidence that the facility would provide reliable testing, counselling and treatment.

Ebea said illicit drug use was a serious contributor to crime and dangerous behaviour, including reckless driving, armed robbery and violence.

He commended UBTH for establishing a facility where drivers, new employees and members of the public could be properly tested and, where necessary, counselled and treated.

The commissioner encouraged people struggling with drug use to seek rehabilitation, saying collaboration among the hospital, police and NDLEA would help address the problem more effectively.

Earlier, the Director of the Centre for Forensic and DNA Studies, University of Benin, Prof. Eddy Ehikhamenor, commended the Federal Government for its call for drug testing among students.

Ehikhamenor said the initiative would contribute to efforts to tackle the drug menace in the country.

He also commended the UBTH management for establishing the centre and urged Nigerians to take advantage of the screening services, assuring them that those seeking help would not be stigmatised.