ABUJA, Nigeria — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) don call for mandatory drug testing for all prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Dis call come from NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), during training session wey happen for Abuja on April 20, 2025, organized with Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM).
Marwa talk say the initiative go help reduce drug abuse as dem dey push for drug testing in universities and communities too. Dis programme na part of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, wey aim to create stronger support for young people and provide tools to help families wey dey battle addiction.
“If we put drug tests for NYSC camps, e go deter substance use,” Marwa yan, as e be representative Ngozi Madubuike, wey be Director of Drug Demand Reduction for NDLEA.
Dem plan say di tests go also allow timely support for anybody wey test positive during orientation. Di aim be to catch those wey need help early, so dem fit get proper intervention.
“We don supply affordable drug test kits to schools and we dey train officers to run dis test dem,” Marwa add. “We dey push for dis drug test requirement across other sectors, including public service, even as some people dey oppose am.”
Marwa emphasize say kolabo with NYSC and educational institutions na key to fight drug abuse among youth. “The roots of drug abuse go far, e dey woven into social, economic, and environmental factors wey dey beyond our control,” e talk.
Dem point out say parents, teachers, and religious leaders need to join hands to prevent drug abuse. E urge parents to dey open with their children, monitor their online activity, and promote strong moral values. “Only together we fit reverse this drug abuse crisis wey dey escalate,” Marwa insist.
Juliet Michael, wey be childhood education expert and National Cancer Society secretary, praise di initiative say e dey necessary at dis time wey morals dey decline for homes. “In the past, a look from parents was enough. Nowadays, parents dey struggle to connect with their children,” she comment.
Michael blame poor role models and peer pressure for di erosion of discipline among youths. She urge parents to be good examples, include their children’s friends, and create environments wey promote good behavior.
“Workshops like dis dey help build positive values for families,” Michael add, stressing say parents need to live the morals wey dem dey expect. “The home na di foundation wey naional change dey rest on.”
Another participant, Iyenoma Osazee, tell how di training dey empower people to notice early signs of drug use and guide affected individuals towards treatment. “Dis training na serious matter wey fit help us connect better and support our youths,” she conclude.
