Graduates going for the mandatory National Youth Service must undergo drug tests, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, is advocating.
NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, said the agency is intensifying its fight against drug abuse through widespread testing in schools, communities, and families, while speaking at a “Training the Trainer” event held in Abuja on Saturday, organised in partnership with the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.
The initiative aims to equip religious leaders and community influencers with practical tools to educate the youth, discourage drug use, and support families dealing with addiction.
Represented by the Director of Drug Demand Reduction, Mrs Ngozi Madubuike, Marwa said drug tests at NYSC orientation camps would not only deter substance use but also enable early intervention for individuals who test positive.
The training is part of the War Against Drug Abuse campaign; a national strategy focused on reducing demand and fostering support systems for Nigerian youths.
Marwa said some universities and state governments had already adopted the drug test policy, and its acceptance is gradually expanding.
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To support implementation, NDLEA supplies affordable test kits to schools and assigns trained officers to conduct testing procedures. The agency is also advocating for similar drug test requirements in other sectors, including public service.
“If young people are aware that NYSC camps include drug testing, they are less likely to indulge,” Marwa stated.
He emphasised the need for a united national response to the growing drug crisis, stressing that prevention efforts must begin at home and within communities.
Juliet Michael, a childhood education specialist and secretary of the National Cancer Society, commended the initiative. She said the programme was timely, especially as many families now struggle with declining moral values.
Michael and other participants encouraged parents to be role models, monitor their children’s behaviour and friends, and foster open communication.
Iyenoma Osazee, another participant, said the training provided skills to detect early signs of drug use and guide those affected toward rehabilitation.
The NDLEA reiterated its commitment to combining enforcement with education and rehabilitation in addressing the nation’s drug abuse problem.
The Conclave
