UBTH CMD seeks Legislative Action on Substance, Drug Abuse As EDHA Speaker Pays Visit
Timothy Omobude 
The Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu has called for urgent legislative action to combat the rising tide of drug and substance abuse in Edo State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit
by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Rt. Hon. Yekini Idiaye to the hospital, Prof. Ize-Iyamu urged the lawmakers to domesticate a bill mandating drug testing for job applicants and students across state-owned secondary and tertiary institutions.
Highlighting UBTH’s newly commissioned, state-of-the-art drug testing centre, the CMD appealed for a strong partnership with the state legislature to implement targeted interventions and collaborative rehabilitation programs for affected youths.
According to the CMD, “the reason we decided to come up with the drug testing centre at UBTH is because of the scourge of drug addiction, alcohol addiction. The use of psychotropic substances is on the increase in Edo State, and it is constituting a menace.
Prof. Ize-Iyamu said, “After we set up our drug testing centre, the very first group of people that tested positive are those that were under 20 years of age.
“It’s more difficult to treat addiction than to prevent it. When addiction is chronic, it becomes a problem to society. It becomes even more of a problem when it affects the young ones. “
She further identified potential areas of collaboration between UBTH and the Edo State House of Assembly, including drug testing, specialised diagnostic and laboratory services, as well as other healthcare initiatives that could directly benefit the people of the state.
In his remarks, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Rt. Hon. Yekini Idiaye stated that the purpose of the visit was to explore possible areas of partnership and collaboration with UBTH.
Idiaye highlighted the importance of collaboration between the state government and UBTH, adding that the visit was part of his engagements with federal institutions across the state
to support sustainable development.
Accompanying the Speaker were Hon. Sunny Ojiezele Osezua, Majority Leader and member representing Esan South East Constituency, Dr. Richard Edosa, Deputy Chief Whip and Chairman House Committee on Health representing Oredo West Constituency and member representing Akoko-Edo II Constituency, Hon. Donald Okogbe.
