Psychologists partner with NDLEA to provide access to mental health services.
The FCT chapter of the Nigerian Psychological Association (NPA) has sought for partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to ensure access to mental health services in the agency and community at large. The outgoing Chairman of the NPA, Mr. Emmanuel Alhassan, called for this when he paid a courtesy visit to the NDLEA on August 5th, 2022 in Abuja, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), particularly among the youth.
He commended the agency on the achievement and success recorded so far in fighting drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the country. According to him, “We have seen your work, all you do and are still doing. We are psychologists and we have decided to let you know that we are ready to partner with NDLEA.” This is not a novel move as psychologists in the developed world often work with the police and drug law enforcement agencies.
Alhassan says it is good to have an association like theirs as reference.
He said, “It is good to have an association that is a reference point and particularly when you want to engage professionals. We are aware you have a call center. One key area we tend to partner with you is volunteerism. We are happy to provide well-trained psychologists to volunteer in providing counselling services in your agency or any services even at the call center. We also have trained psychologists who need opportunities in terms of employment.”
“If there are opportunities in your state offices where you want psychologists to actually engage them fully, we will be very happy to partner with you. We will provide those we know are well trained, capable and ready to work and can go through your interview and employment processes.” Alhassan said that the association would also like to partner with the agency in terms of programs such as outreach in engaging the public and creating awareness on drug abuse and prevention.
Chairman-elect urges NDLEA-affiliated psychologists to enroll with NPA.
Alhassan said that the agency and the association could jointly plan outreach on psycho-education in any part of the country. “Yes, we are in the FCT and we have a mandate to be able to interface with those we are close to here. And we will equally give feedback to the national body and so we are not speaking just on behalf of the FCT chapter, ” he said. Meanwhile, the Chairman-elect of the NPA, Mr. Victor Adejoh, called on psychologists working in the agency to ensure they enrolled with the association.
Adejoh said that the enrollment was needed and paramount to guarantee continuous capacity building and training for them. He said, “When we have professionals out there who are not updating their skills and talents, that might pose a lot of concerns for us as a community of professionals,” he said. Adejoh also seek for partnership to commemorate the year 2022’s International Mental Health Day with the NDLEA and the World Health Organization (WHO) for a drug rapid assessment in Nigeria.
Adejoh said the commemoration will result in a robust global event.
He said that the commemoration would bring about a robust global event where issues of mental health will be thoroughly and objectively discussed. “It will be a great exploit to have partnership with you. This will also be an avenue to also understand where the burden of drug abuse and substances lies in the country. And as a professional body, we’ll see where needs are necessary. We believe this relationship will go a long way,” he said.
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This is a generous act from the psychologist. This is them willing to offer therapy session to drug traffickers and abusers. This will go a long way in helping these people
The NDLEA should collaborate with the psychologist so they can render health services to those that have been extremely affected by hard drugs.
A lot of druggies have been traumatized by the aftermath of their act and they really need help to get over it. seeing that the psychologist are willing to do this for free, I feel the NDLEA should take Advantage of it
Mental health seem not to be given enough attention as it demands. Not only drug abusers deal with mental health battles, regular people do too. It can be as a result of numerous things; marital struggles, academic struggles, depression in general amd more. Psychologist willing to partner with the NDLEA should be embraced.
The victims of drug abuse and drug addiction need rehabilitation. This is why psychologists are working hand in hand with NDLEA. They ensure this former drug users are treated and rehabilitated inorder to become whole and free from drug abuse.
NDLEA should collab with the psychologist in other to help those who need metal health if this is done it will help those people who are drug addicted that need rehabilitation so they are be free from being drug addict
Wow this is a wonderful development for the psychology association collaborating with the NDLEA because of the mental health of the people which is parmount especially with the effects of taking drugs.
This is a very good idea, it will help a lot because so many people are suffering from mental disorder. This development will go along way in helping them
The NDLEA deserves praise for the effort it has put in and the progress it has made in preventing drug misuse and reducing illegal drug trafficking in the country.
This observance will result in a vibrant worldwide event in which issues pertaining to mental health will be explored in depth and with an objective perspective.
This is a good partnership because they can come together help those people that are already addicted to drug usage and help them overcome it.
This will also be an opportunity to have a better understanding of the areas of the country that are most affected by the problem of substance misuse and drug abuse.
This enrollment into psychiatric institutions is required and of the utmost importance in order to assure that they will receive ongoing training and capacity building.
This is a positive development since the mental homes will be able to provide volunteer opportunities in counselling to psychologists who have received adequate training.
I am enjoying what the Ndlea have been doing nowadays, they have been capturing and seizing large barrel of drugs now they want to rehabilitate people. This is wonderful
This rehabilitation from psychiatrists will go a long way in making these youths addicted to drugs to turn their lives around and make them better citizens for the country.
Great partnership I’m sighting here!
This is a very good idea. It will help those people who are drug addicted that need rehabilitation, it will help us cleanse the country a bit because as a result of drug addiction Nigeria lost some of it future leaders (insanity,death) etc
It appears that mental health is not given the attention it deserves. Regular individuals also struggle with mental health issues, not only drug addicts. Numerous factors, including difficulties in the marriage, difficulties in the classroom, overall despair, and others, might cause it. Psychologists who are open to collaborating with the NDLEA should be welcomed.
The collaboration established between NDLEA with Psychologists in Abuja is a good one and welcome development. In this way the Psychologists will be able create awareness on the dangers of drug abuse and provide health service to those who are already mentally derailed.
NDLEA in collaboration with Psychologists will really go a long way. It will create more awareness on drug abuse, gives better understanding on the dangers of excess use of drugs and will to provide health care services to the people that need it.