By Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd), has urged the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to adopt drug integrity tests for corps members as part of efforts to tackle rising substance abuse among Nigerian youths.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, at NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, Marwa clarified that the drug tests are not punitive but are aimed at early detection and treatment. He also advocated similar tests for couples intending to marry.
“The drug scourge is ravaging our families and communities,” Marwa said. “One in seven Nigerians between 15 and 64 use drugs. That’s why our strategy includes both supply and demand reduction — through prevention, rehabilitation, and counseling.”
He applauded the NYSC for introducing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) clubs in orientation camps and suggested that corps members trained in psychology, nursing, and counseling be posted to NDLEA treatment centers for their primary assignments.
“It’s always better to catch addiction early before it leads to psychiatric problems or endangers society,” Marwa noted, adding that a collaborative effort is key to reducing drug dependency nationwide.
Responding, Brig.-Gen. Nafiu described the proposal as a “fantastic idea” and pledged to review the plan for implementation. He said NYSC would develop a framework to post qualified corps members to NDLEA counseling centers, further strengthening the existing partnership between both agencies.
