Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (rtd), has clarified that the proposed drug integrity tests for youth corps members, intending couples, and others are not punitive but meant to discourage substance abuse and ensure early intervention
Marwa explained that the initiative is aimed at identifying individuals who may already be using drugs so they can receive timely treatment before their condition escalates into addiction and other serious health problems.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Brig Gen Olakunle Nafiu, the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, April 23.
“The drug scourge has continued to devastate our kids, families, and communities. There’s nowhere in the country you won’t find a drug abuse problem. One in seven Nigerians between 15 and 64 uses drugs,” Marwa said.
“You mentioned our efforts to reduce access to these drugs, but we must also drastically reduce demand—especially among youths. That’s where the drug integrity test comes in, and we’re advocating for NYSC to adopt it for corps members.”
He emphasized that alongside drug supply reduction, the NDLEA is focused on drug demand reduction through prevention, counselling, and rehabilitation. He also praised the introduction of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) clubs in NYSC camps as a positive step.
Marwa further recommended that drug tests should become a requirement for couples intending to marry, saying, “It’s better to detect drug use early before it becomes an addiction and possibly leads to psychiatric issues. That way, we protect both the individual and society.”
He proposed another area of collaboration—assigning corps members with backgrounds in Guidance and Counselling, Psychology, Nursing, and Psychiatry to NDLEA’s Counselling and Treatment Centres as their place of primary assignment, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in rehabilitation services.
In response, NYSC DG Nafiu described the drug integrity test as “a fantastic idea” and assured that the proposal would be carefully considered for potential partnership.
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, Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (rtd), has clarified that the proposed drug integrity tests for youth corps members, intending couples, and others are not punitive but meant to discourage substance abuse and ensure early intervention){kind=link}
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