The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has renewed calls for mandatory drug tests for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, stressing that the move is aimed at prevention and not punishment.
Marwa made this known on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the Director General of NYSC, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, and top officials of the scheme to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, Marwa explained that the proposed drug integrity test would help identify and assist corps members struggling with drug use before it becomes an addiction.
“This is not a punitive action,” Marwa said. “The aim is prevention. Early detection can help individuals avoid serious consequences. It’s about saving lives and securing the future of our youth.”
He revealed that current national drug survey statistics show one in seven Nigerians aged 15 to 64 is involved in drug use, warning that the problem has spread across all regions of the country.
Marwa said the NDLEA’s focus remains on reducing both the supply and demand of drugs through enforcement, education, counseling, and rehabilitation.
He praised the NYSC for introducing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) clubs in orientation camps and proposed even closer collaboration, including deploying corps members with health and psychology-related qualifications to NDLEA’s treatment and counselling centres nationwide.
“This will not only deepen the corps members’ experience but also enhance our rehabilitation capacity,” he said.
In response, the NYSC DG described the initiative as “a fantastic idea” and promised to review and consider the NDLEA’s proposals. He added that a framework would be developed to facilitate the posting of suitable corps members to NDLEA offices with active counseling units.
Nafiu also commended Marwa’s leadership and pledged NYSC’s continued support in the fight against drug abuse among Nigerian youth.
