To combat drug misuse in schools, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has encouraged all Nigerian higher institutions to make drug integrity testing an institutional policy for students and develop a cooperation with the agency.
On Wednesday, February 9, at the University of Abuja, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd.) declared this while launching the ‘Drug-free University Campaign,’ an anti-drug abuse effort.
He argued that the restriction should apply to both new and returning students, noting that this would benefit in the fight against teenage drug usage.
“Part of the measures to reduce drug use in the university is the proposed introduction of the drug integrity test for both new and returning students.
The drug integrity test is anticipated to metamorphose into an anti-drug policy for all higher institutions of learning in Nigeria.
It is expected that the University of Abuja, being the ‘University of National Unity’, will be the first public University in Nigeria to adopt the drug integrity test for fresh and returning students of the institution.
The Drug Integrity Test is not a punitive measure; rather it is an early detection tool to ascertain an individual’s drug use status for appropriate intervention, and timely treatment and care.
This will also entail that the university will develop a drug policy and make such available to each student.
Equally important is the need to create an NDLEA outpost on the campus where we’ll deploy our men to assist the authorities to deter drug dealers and users within the University.