SMART Recovery study with NDLEA

Background: Evidence on implementing mutual-help groups (MHGs) in sub-Saharan African drug-demand-reduction systems is limited. Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operates counselling centres nationwide; its guidelines recommend mutual-help groups but provide no structured facilitation protocol. We evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and perceived appropriateness of two-day SMART Recovery facilitator training for drug-demand-reduction officers and examined perceived implementation barriers and facilitators. Methodology: Forty officers from 13 area commands participated in a survey-based pilot training evaluation in the Lagos State Command. Closed-ended responses were summarised descriptively; open-ended responses were deductively coded using constructs from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Findings: The post-training survey completion rate was 82.5% (33/40), meeting the prespecified >80% feasibility criterion. Before training, 17.5% (7/40) had prior recovery-support training. After training, all respondents (33/33) rated the course very good or outstanding and its activities very helpful; 84.8% (28/33) rated their confidence in facilitating meetings as good or excellent, and 63.6% (21/33) intended to facilitate meetings within NDLEA. Anticipated barriers included workload (51.5%; 17/33), lack of continued education (42.4%; 14/33), and institutional permission requirements. Perceived facilitators included logical organisation, interactive delivery, and applicability of SMART Recovery tools. Interpretation: The feasibility criterion was met, and post-training ratings supported acceptability and perceived appropriateness. The evaluation did not assess actual implementation or sustainability. Future evaluations across additional state commands should assess meeting delivery, fidelity, sustainability, and outcomes among meeting participants.