- NDLEA seeks drug integrity tests for corps members, couples
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), has reiterated the importance of drug integrity testing for youth corps members, intending couples, and other key groups, describing it as a preventive and rehabilitative initiative rather than a punitive measure.
Marwa made this known during a courtesy visit by the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, and top officials of the scheme to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Congratulating the NYSC DG on his recent appointment, Marwa described the scheme as a national treasure and a vital tool for fostering unity. He expressed concern over Nigeria’s growing drug abuse problem, revealing that one in seven Nigerians aged 15 to 64 use drugs, highlighting the urgent need for collaborative solutions.
“The drug scourge has continued to devastate our children, families, and communities. There is no part of the country immune to this crisis,” Marwa stated. “While we’re tackling drug supply, we must also focus on reducing demand through preventive strategies like the drug integrity test.”
He said introducing the test for youth corps members is a key part of the NDLEA’s efforts to identify and offer early treatment to individuals before addiction leads to psychiatric or broader societal issues. He drew parallels with a similar proposal requiring drug-free certificates for intending couples.
Marwa also proposed deeper collaboration with NYSC, including posting corps members with backgrounds in Guidance and Counselling, Psychology, Nursing, and Psychiatry to NDLEA Counselling and Treatment Centres during their service year.
In response, Brig. Gen. Nafiu praised the drug integrity test initiative, describing it as a “fantastic idea” and pledged to review the NDLEA’s proposal for partnership. He assured that the NYSC would work toward deploying qualified corps members to NDLEA centres nationwide.
He further commended Marwa’s leadership and NDLEA’s achievements, emphasizing the NYSC’s commitment to strengthening its existing partnership with the agency.
