The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has reiterated the agency’s call for mandatory drug tests for corps members, describing the initiative as a preventive—not punitive—measure.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Director General (DG) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, and senior NYSC officials to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, Marwa emphasised the urgent need to curb drug abuse among Nigerian youth.
The visit was confirmed in a statement on Wednesday by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.
Marwa noted that the proposed drug integrity test, which has drawn mixed reactions online, particularly targets early detection and intervention.
‘This is not a punitive action’, he stressed. ‘The goal is prevention—helping individuals before drug use escalates into addiction’.
Citing data from national drug surveys, he revealed, ‘One in seven Nigerians aged 15 to 64 is involved in drug use. The drug scourge continues to ravage our families and communities. There is no part of this country untouched by the crisis’.
According to him, the NDLEA’s strategy is twofold—reducing supply while also diminishing demand through education, counseling, and rehabilitation.
Highlighting the NDLEA’s collaboration with NYSC, Marwa lauded the formation of War Against Drug Abuse clubs in NYSC orientation camps and proposed deeper cooperation, including mandatory drug tests for corps members.
‘In addition to suggesting that intending couples obtain drug-free certificates, we believe early detection through drug tests can prevent severe consequences, including psychiatric disorders, which affect not only users but the society at large’, he said.
To further strengthen drug prevention efforts, Marwa suggested deploying corps members with backgrounds in psychology, nursing, psychiatry, or counseling to NDLEA Counselling and Treatment Centres across the country for their primary assignments.
‘This will deepen their professional experience and enhance the agency’s rehabilitation efforts’, he added.
Responding, the NYSC DG described the proposal as a ‘fantastic idea’, pledging to review the NDLEA’s recommendations for possible implementation.
Nafiu also assured that the NYSC would develop a comprehensive framework to facilitate the posting of qualified corps members to NDLEA commands, particularly those with active counseling and treatment facilities.
He commended Marwa for his leadership and reaffirmed the NYSC’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the NDLEA in tackling drug abuse among Nigerian youth.
