The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) has advised all tertiary institutions across the country to make drug tests mandatory for new and returning students as part of efforts to curb the menace of drug abuse among Nigerian youths.
He made the request on Wednesday at the University of Abuja while launching the ‘Drug-free University Campaign.’
Marwa said, “Part of the measures to reduce drug use in the universities is the proposed introduction of the drug integrity test for both new and returning students. The drug integrity test is anticipated to metamorphose into an anti-drug policy for all higher institutions of learning in Nigeria.
“It is expected that the University of Abuja, being the ‘University of National Unity’, will be the first public University in Nigeria to adopt the drug integrity test for fresh and returning students of the institution. The drug integrity test is not a punitive measure; rather, it is an early detection tool to ascertain an individual’s drug use status for appropriate intervention, and timely treatment and care.
“This will also entail that the university will develop a drug policy and make such available to each student. Equally important is the need to create an NDLEA outpost on the campuses, where we’ll deploy our men to assist the authorities, deter drug dealers and users within the universities.”
Marwa also commended the management of the University of Abuja for partnering with the NDLEA, adding that the event’s theme: ‘Drug-Free University and Tertiary Institutions, was accurate because of the scourge of drug abuse currently rampant amongst students.
According to him, “The youth population constitutes the country’s workforce and the stronger the youth of a country, the more developed the country will be. One, then, wonders what will become of Nigeria with about 70 percent youth population, if the future of its youths is ravaged by drugs.
“To aggressively reverse the trend, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces launched the War Against Drug Abuse campaign on June 26, 2021, to commemorate the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking. The goal of WADA is to mobilize all Nigerians, especially the youth population, for active participation in the process of ridding our society of the drug menace.”