The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has initiated a capacity-building program aimed at standardizing drug treatment and rehabilitation services for individuals affected by substance use disorders. This training, taking place at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau State, includes participation from over 100 counsellors representing various agency formations throughout the country.
Coordinated by the Directorate of Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation (DCTR), this marks the first comprehensive training of its kind in several years. During the program’s opening, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), represented by the Director of Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation, Bashir Ibrahim, emphasized the initiative’s role in strengthening the agency’s rehabilitation framework. The goal is to guarantee that clients receive quality and evidence-based interventions.
Marwa highlighted the necessity for counsellors to stay updated on the evolving challenges of substance abuse, stating that the training will promote uniformity in counselling practices across NDLEA facilities. The program aims to introduce standardized operational protocols and enhance clinical competencies to address emerging psychoactive substances and co-occurring mental health cases.
Additional objectives of the training include reinforcing professional ethics, confidentiality, and quality assurance; enhancing data management for informed policymaking; fostering continuous professional development; and minimizing service delivery inconsistencies. Marwa noted that this initiative is critical in improving rehabilitation outcomes and maintaining the credibility of Nigeria’s drug treatment and rehabilitation system.
The NDLEA plans to continue its investment in the professional growth of its personnel as a fundamental component of its strategy to combat both the supply and demand for illicit drugs in Nigeria. Strengthening the counselling workforce is deemed essential for achieving lasting results in the agency’s efforts to reduce drug demand.
