The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has opened the first drug testing center in the South-South geopolitical zone, with the mandate to detect substance abuse and address its growing health and social consequences in the region.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UBTH, Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu, disclosed this on Thursday at a stakeholder workshop on alcohol and substance abuse screening, which culminated in the inauguration of the center in Benin City, Edo State.
Ize-Iyamu said the initiative marked an important step in the hospital’s collective efforts towards prevention, early intervention, safer communities and better health outcomes, emphasizing that substance abuse had become a growing concern in society.
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According to her, the consequences of substance abuse include impaired judgment, traffic accidents, violence, broken families, poor academic and work performance, decreased productivity and, in severe cases, loss of life.
He said the center would screen for substances such as amphetamines, benzodiazepines, marijuana/cannabis, ethanol, fentanyl, methadone, tramadol and barbiturates, noting that the dangers associated with their abuse could be devastating.
The CMD explained that excessive use of amphetamines could cause agitation, high blood pressure, anxiety and impaired judgment, while benzodiazepines could cause excessive sedation, poor coordination and memory problems, particularly when combined with alcohol or opioids.
Ize-Iyamu further warned that cannabis could impair memory, concentration and judgment, while excessive alcohol consumption could contribute to accidents, violence, dependency and liver disease.
He added that fentanyl, methadone and tramadol could cause respiratory depression, dependence, seizures and other serious complications when used incorrectly.
Also speaking was the Director of the DNA and Forensic Centre, University of Benin, Prof. Eddy Ehikhamenor, who linked the increasing cases of domestic violence to substance abuse.
Stakeholders at the workshop included the Edo State Commissioner for Public Safety, Hon. Festo O. Ebea; Narcotics Commander, NDLEA Edo State Command, Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju; the Chief Magistrate of the Delta State Judiciary, Mrs. Tegwolo Okungbowa; and the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Zone 5, Mr. Monday Agbonika, among others.
Caption: The Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu (fifth left), shaking hands with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Zone 5, Mr. Monday Agbonika, flanked by the Edo State Commissioner for Public Safety, Hon. Festus Ebea, Narcotics Commander, NDLEA Edo State Command, Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju, Chief Magistrate, Delta State Judiciary, Mrs Tegwolo Okungbowa and other participants during a stakeholder workshop and inauguration of the Drug Testing Center at UBTH in Benin, Edo, on Thursday.
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