Nigerian Universities Should Conduct Drug Tests for all Students says NDLEA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency [NDLEA] has asked all tertiary institutions in the nation to make drug integrity test an 'institutional policy' for her students and work hand-in-hand with the agency to clamp down on drug heads and drug abuse in schools. 

The Agency stated that the policy should be applicable to new [freshers] and returning [staylites] students, saying that this in itself will go a long way to kick against drug abuse among youths. 

The Chairman of the Agency, Brigadier General Buba Marwa [Rtd.] disclosed this officially on Wednesday at the University of Abuja while launching an anti-drug abuse initiative known as 'Drug - Free University Campaign'. 

Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa stated that: "Part of the measures to reduce drug use in the University 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 to 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. He continued.

This he said: "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 campus where we will deploy our own men to assist the authorities to deter drug dealers and users within the four walls of the University". 

The Chairman of the NDLEA, during a visit to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2021, proposed the integrity drug tests for students and politicians or political office holders also, especially those vying for Public Offices. 

He quipped: "running for public offices is a big responsibility. You should not be in this important assignment for the public and your head is filled up because of drugs". 

The erstwhile Lagos Military Administrator in addition said that: "the drug scourge is now an epidermic in Nigeria. The prevalence is 15%, three times the global average. One in seven Nigerians take drugs. We have found out that there is nexus between drug use and crime". 

Should the Integrity Drug Test be endorsed and operational across our tertiary institutions? (share your views in the comment section).