Abuja: The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, has advocated for the implementation of drug integrity tests targeting corps members, prospective couples, and others as a measure to discourage substance abuse. Marwa emphasized that these proposed tests are not punitive but preventive measures aimed at early intervention and treatment for individuals who test positive before their condition worsens.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Marwa made this statement during a meeting with Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who visited the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja. Marwa congratulated Nafiu on his recent appointment and praised the NYSC as a national treasure and vital instrument for promoting unity in Nigeria. He expressed concern over the growing drug menace, highlighting that one in seven Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 use drugs.
Marwa commended the efforts to cut off access to drugs but stressed the importance of reducing demand, particularly among young people, through initiatives like the drug integrity test. He advocated for the NYSC to adopt drug integrity tests for corps members and proposed requiring drug testing for couples intending to marry to help prevent addiction and its associated problems.
He also praised the introduction of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) clubs in NYSC orientation camps and suggested further collaboration in posting corps members with relevant qualifications to NDLEA Counselling and Treatment Centres as part of their national service. This, he noted, would provide them with valuable experience in rehabilitation and psychosocial support.
In response, Nafiu, along with top officials of the scheme, praised the drug integrity test initiative as 'a fantastic idea.' He assured Marwa that the scheme would consider the proposal and develop guidelines for deploying corps members with the necessary qualifications to NDLEA commands nationwide. Nafiu also commended Marwa for the NDLEA's achievements under his leadership and reaffirmed the NYSC's commitment to strengthening its partnership with the agency.