NDLEA Proposes Dr¥g Integrity Tests for Corps Members, Couples
Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, has called for the introduction of dr¥g integrity tests for NYSC corps members, intending couples, and others as a preventive measure against substance ab¥se.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, Marwa emphasized that the goal is not punishment, but early detection and intervention.
“The dr¥g problem continues to d+stroy lives across Nigeria. One in seven Nigerians aged 15 to 64 uses drugs,” he said. “This initiative will help identify and support individuals before their situation worsens.”
Marwa also praised the establishment of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) clubs in NYSC orientation camps, describing it as a step in the right direction. He urged the NYSC to institutionalize dr¥g testing for corps members, just as he proposed the same for intending couples to prevent long-term health and social issues.
He further recommended that corps members with backgrounds in Guidance and Counselling, Psychology, Nursing, or Psychiatry be posted to NDLEA Treatment Centres to gain hands-on experience in rehabilitation and psychosocial support.
In response, Nafiu described the dr¥g integrity test proposal as “a fantastic idea” and assured that NYSC would explore the recommendations and work on a framework to deploy qualified corps members to NDLEA centres nationwide.
He also commended Marwa’s leadership and reaffirmed the NYSC’s commitment to collaborating with the NDLEA in the f+ght against dr¥g ab+se.
