Sunday Ejike, Author at Tribune Online

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), has said that the push for drug integrity tests for youth corps members, prospective couples, and others is not punitive. Rather, it is intended to discourage substance abuse and provide early treatment for those who test positive before their condition deteriorates into drug dependence and other health challenges. Marwa stated this on Wednesday in Abuja when the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, led top NYSC officials on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA headquarters. He congratulated the NYSC boss on his recent appointment and described the scheme as a national treasure and a vital instrument for national unity. According to the NDLEA boss, “The drug scourge has continued to devastate our children, families, and communities. There is no part of the country where drug abuse is not a problem. "One in seven Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 use drugs. You mentioned our efforts to cut off access to and availability of these substances, but beyond that, we must work with all stakeholders, including the NYSC, to ensure a drastic reduction in drug demand among our youth. One of our strategies to address this is the drug integrity test, which we are advocating that the NYSC adopt for corps members. ALSO READ: FG tasks AGF, new permanent secretaries on quality service delivery “As I said, while we work on drug supply reduction, we also focus on drug demand reduction through preventive measures, as well as counseling and rehabilitation. These are important areas for further collaboration. You have introduced War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) clubs in the camps, which is fantastic. Another key area for collaboration is the implementation of drug integrity tests for youth corps members. "It's a major drug demand reduction effort. Just as we advocate that both bride and groom present a drug-free certificate before marriage, it is always better to detect drug use early—before it leads to addiction, psychiatric issues, or poses a danger to the individual and society.” He added that another area of collaboration is the posting of a significant number of corps members who studied Guidance and Counselling, Psychology, Nursing, or Psychiatry to NDLEA Counselling and Treatment Centres across the country. This would serve as their place of primary assignment during their one-year national service, enabling them to gain knowledge and experience in rehabilitation and psychosocial services. In response, the NYSC Director-General described the drug integrity test as a fantastic idea and promised to study the NDLEA’s proposal for possible collaboration. He assured that the scheme would develop general guidelines to post as many qualified corps members as possible to NDLEA Commands with Counselling and Treatment Centres nationwide. While commending Marwa for the remarkable progress recorded under his leadership, he noted the existing partnership between the NDLEA and the NYSC and emphasized that his visit aimed to explore further ways to deepen and strengthen the collaboration.