Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has once again emphasized the importance of mandatory drug testing for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He made this known during a courtesy visit by the NYSC Director General, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu. According to Marwa, this proposed initiative is part of a broader strategy to curb drug abuse among Nigeria’s youth population.

The visit and its outcomes were officially detailed in a statement released by NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi. Marwa voiced serious concern about the growing rate of drug use in Nigeria, pointing out that approximately one in seven Nigerians aged between 15 and 64 years is involved in some form of drug use. He described the ongoing drug crisis as one that cuts across all regions of the country, affecting both families and communities at large.

To tackle the issue at its roots, Marwa advocated for early detection mechanisms through drug testing, which he believes could help prevent addiction and its associated problems, including mental health disorders. He also suggested that corps members with relevant academic or professional backgrounds be deployed to NDLEA rehabilitation centers to assist with treatment and counseling services.

Marwa praised existing collaborations between the NDLEA and the NYSC, including the creation of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) clubs in NYSC orientation camps. He called for deeper partnerships that would include the proposed mandatory testing of corps members. Additionally, he encouraged drug-free certification for intending couples as another preventive measure.

In response, Brig. Gen. Nafiu expressed support for the proposal and pledged to assess and implement it. He reaffirmed NYSC’s commitment to working closely with the NDLEA in the fight against drug abuse among Nigerian youth, recognizing the importance of a united front in addressing this nationwide challenge.