… Launches ‘Drug Free Iuniversity campaign’ at UniAbuja
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has advocated compulsory drug test for all students in Nigerian universities.
Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement on Wednesday that the move was part of the efforts to fight the menace of drug abuse among Nigerian youths.
He quoted the NDLEA Boss as having made the call at the University of Abuja while launching the ‘Drug Free University Campaign’ on Wednesday.
The NDLEA boss called for a partnership between the Agency and the university system that will allow the setting up of outposts on campuses to further strengthen the authorities in fighting the drug menace.
“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 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 campus where we’ll deploy our men to assist the authorities, deter drug dealers and users within the university.”
He raised the alarm that the menace of drug use and abuse in the country has assumed a worrisome dimension, especially among the youth population who are the most prevalent drug abusers.
“The truth on ground indicates that our society needs to do more. The National Drug Use and Health Survey of 2018 showed that Nigeria has a peculiar drug use prevalence.
“And it is instructive and worrisome to know that drug use was common among those aged 25-39 years, while the age of initiation was 22 years for heroin and 19 years for cannabis. Note that these age groups comprised of young people who are either in secondary or tertiary institutions or are on the cusp of graduation.”
