The National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) calls for mandatory drug testing for all potential members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to renew efforts to combat the increasing drug abuse among young people in Nigeria. The call was conducted by the agency’s chairman Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Retd.), during a three-day training on preventive drug treatment and care (DPTC) in Abuja on Sunday, April 20.
Dr. Marwa Ngozi Madubuike, represented by the NDLEA Director of Drug Demand Reduction, stressed that drug testing at NYSC-oriented camps will be a deterrent to drug use while providing early support and intervention for those who test positive. He noted that some universities and state governments have adopted similar policies that have gained wider acceptance nationwide.
NDLEA also advocates drug testing in other departments, including public services, despite some opposition. Marwa believes that early detection through testing can save lives and help young people avoid harmful addictions. “If young people know that the camp includes drug tests, they will avoid it. The goal is early help for those who need it,” he said.
According to Marwa, the agency is providing affordable testing kits to educational institutions and deploying trained officials to facilitate the testing process. Although NDLEA is known for law enforcement actions involving arrests and drug seizures, the agency is also increasingly focusing on prevention through education and rehabilitation programs. Marwa acknowledged that the root causes of substance abuse are beyond law enforcement and are affected by social, economic and environmental factors.
He stressed the importance of collective action by parents, teachers, religious leaders and community stakeholders in preventing substance abuse. Marwa calls on families to maintain open communication with their children, monitor their social circles and online activities, and instill strong moral values.
The NDLEA president said drug abuse by young people in Nigeria threatens the health, security and socio-economic stability of the country. To address this, the agency has established drug counseling and rehabilitation centers in 30 states to support individuals struggling with addiction. He urged the community to provide supportive environments to recover and help eliminate the stigma of addiction.
Mrs. Juliet Michael, a child education expert and former secretary of the National Cancer Society, said at the event that the initiative was timely and necessary. She highlights the challenges facing modern parenting, including peer pressure and lack of role models, which she says contributes to the erosion of discipline and positive values. “Parents must be examples, monitor their children’s friends and create environments that develop good behavior,” she said.
Program Coordinator Edikanabasi Edema UDOH noted that the training aims to equip community influencers with tools to detect signs of early drug use and to guide affected people to treatment. She stressed that the training was certified to emphasize its importance and called on all Nigerians to support the NDLEA’s mission, noting that the agency would not be successful without extensive public participation.
