Access to drug treatment services in Nigeria: the challenge of the addiction workforce

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine the condition of the addictionworkforce in Nigeria vis-a-vis its size and composition, certification ofaddiction professionals and other factors influencing access to drug treatmentservices in Nigeria.Methods: Participants for this study were 17 malesand 13 females aged between 31 and 58 years drawn from people attending trainingon Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC 6, 7 & 8) at Nassarawa State University,Keffi, Nigeria.Results:Participants identified lack of trained addiction workforce as a factor withthe highest weight in affecting access to drug treatment services in Nigeria. Ananalysis of the treatment teams showed that they are mainly made-up of thefollowing professions: Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Medical doctors, Nurses,Social workers and counsellors and only a team from one treatment center thathas a record of a member that has completed training in Universal TreatmentCurriculum (UTC).Conclusion: The study revealedthat while the prevalence of drug addiction is high, the size of addictionworkforce to address the addiction problem is too small and professionallyunder-trained. In view of the this the researcher recommends that coursesleading to professional training in SUD treatment should be introduced inhigher institutions of learning such as schools of nursing and universities.This is to produce an adequate addiction work force. Furthermore, effortsshould also be made to see that a system of taking a UTC certification examsonline through CBT is introduced in Nigeria. This will address the continuedwaiting for those who have completed the UTC training but are kept waiting for apaper and pencil exam.