The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Marwa (rtd), has said drug tests for youth corps members are not meant to punish anyone. Instead, they are to help prevent drug abuse and offer early treatment to those already affected.

He explained this during a meeting with the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig Gen Olakunle Nafiu, who visited the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on April 23.

Marwa pointed out that drug abuse is a serious issue across Nigeria, affecting many young people. According to him, one in seven Nigerians aged 15 to 64 uses drugs. He said the NDLEA is working hard to stop the supply of drugs, but reducing demand is also very important.

One way to reduce drug use, he said, is by introducing drug integrity tests for corps members. This can help detect drug use early, before it becomes a serious addiction or leads to mental health problems. He also suggested that couples getting married should provide a drug-free certificate.

Marwa praised NYSC for setting up War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) clubs in their camps. He added that more corps members who studied Psychology, Nursing, Psychiatry, and Guidance and Counselling should be posted to NDLEA treatment centers during their service year. This will give them hands-on experience in helping people recover from drug problems.

In response, the NYSC Director General agreed that the idea of drug tests is a good one. He promised to review the proposal and consider ways NYSC can work with NDLEA.