Substance Abuse: UNIBEN Students To Undergo Screening Before Admission in Nigeria

Students seeking admission to the University of Benin, UNIBEN may undergo screening for substance abuse, just as parents have been urged to monitor and guide their children to desist from substance abuse.

This was disclosed by the Director, Health Services Department University of Benin, Dr. (Mrs.) Imuwahen Anthonia Mbaire during a seminar organized by the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital UBTH / UNIBEN

According to her, parents should notice and stop their children from taking drugs without a doctor’s prescription

She said that there is a recommendation for the screening of students before they are admitted to the University of Benin to ensure that they are not into the use of drugs

“The aim of the screening pre-admission is not to deny students admission but to help them.They will not be discriminated against. There is no way students on drugs will perform well.

“The key protective factors to curb substance abuse include positive parenting, communication and supervision, adding that some parents are not there for their children,” she added.

According to Dr. Mbaire who was speaking on the topic, ” Substance use and Abuse in Adolescents: Pattern, Prevention Strategies and Management,” the mindset of young people needs to be reset and everyone should advocate for non use of these substances.

“Health professionals should integrate substance use screening into routine adolescent care, screening of all students, secondary school and University, for substance use should be mandatory. Promote awareness in schools, and collaborate with policy makers, continuing education and community partnerships enhance capacity to respond effectively. Prevention is always better than cure,” she recommended

Earlier, the Chairman of the Seminar, Prof. Kingsley Akhigbe said substance abuse among young people is a concern globally and in Nigeria and it is destroying the future of the leaders of tomorrow.

“Now in primary schools there are children experimenting with all sorts of substances which affect the brain in different ways,” he added

The Director, Institute of Child Health, UBTH/UNIBEN, Prof Mrs Ayebo Sadoh and a former Director of the Institute Prof Chrles Eregie also advocated that young persons should say No to substance and drug abuse because they put their future in danger of being destroyed

It was also noted that health Professionals should not be too busy not to be an advocate for non use of these substances and young persons should be aware that that these substances are now in cakes,food, candies and cookies

By Eubaldus Enahoro