The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has begun a nationwide training programme for more than 100 counsellors as part of efforts to improve the quality and consistency of treatment and rehabilitation services for people struggling with drug use.

 The training, which commenced at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau State, is aimed at equipping counsellors with modern therapeutic skills and standardising rehabilitation practices across the agency’s treatment facilities nationwide.

 Coordinated by the Directorate of Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation (DCTR), the exercise brings together counsellors from NDLEA formations across the country.

 It is the first agency-driven capacity-building programme of its kind for NDLEA counsellors in several years.
 For the participants, the programme represents more than professional development. It is expected to strengthen their ability to respond to the changing nature of substance use disorders and provide better care to clients undergoing rehabilitation.

 Speaking at the opening of the first phase of the exercise, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd.), represented by the Director of Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation, ACGN Bashir Ibrahim, said the training was critical to revitalising staff morale and strengthening the agency’s rehabilitation services.

 In a statement issued by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Marwa said, “This initiative will equip our counsellors with modern therapeutic tools to deal with the growing complexities of substance use disorders while ensuring that people receiving treatment at NDLEA facilities get evidence-based and quality interventions.”

 He said the training would also help to harmonise counselling practices by introducing uniform protocols across rehabilitation facilities operated by the agency’s state commands.

  According to him, other objectives include improving counsellors’ clinical skills in dealing with emerging psychoactive substances and co-occurring mental health disorders, aligning rehabilitation practices with national and international standards, and strengthening ethics, confidentiality and quality assurance.

 The programme will also focus on improving data management to support evidence-based policymaking, promoting continuous professional development through peer review and clinical supervision, and reducing inconsistencies in service delivery.

 Marwa said the initiative reflected the agency’s commitment to building a resilient and well-equipped counselling workforce capable of responding effectively to Nigeria’s drug demand reduction needs.

 He added that strengthening the capacity of counsellors would ultimately improve the quality of care available at NDLEA rehabilitation facilities and reinforce the country’s drug treatment and rehabilitation system.

 The NDLEA chairman assured that the agency would continue to invest in the professional development of its personnel as part of its broader strategy to address both drug supply and demand in the country.

 He said the agency would continue to entrench global best practices in its drug demand reduction efforts.