Why NYSC members must undergo drug tests – NDLEA boss
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has once again emphasized the need for mandatory drug testing for corps members.
He described the initiative as a preventive strategy, not a disciplinary one.
During a courtesy visit by the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, and senior NYSC officials to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, Marwa underlined the urgency of tackling drug abuse among young Nigerians.
The visit was acknowledged in a statement released on Wednesday by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi.
Addressing concerns sparked by the proposed drug integrity test, Marwa clarified that its focus is on early identification and intervention.
“This is not a punitive action,” he emphasized. “The goal is prevention—helping individuals before drug use escalates into addiction.”
Quoting findings from national drug surveys, he revealed, “One in seven Nigerians aged 15 to 64 is involved in drug use. The drug scourge continues to ravage our families and communities. There is no part of this country untouched by the crisis.”
Marwa explained that the NDLEA’s approach combines supply reduction with demand suppression through public education, counseling, and rehabilitation services.
Commending NYSC’s partnership in the fight against drug abuse, he noted the formation of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) clubs in orientation camps as a step in the right direction.
He also reiterated the need for mandatory drug tests for corps members as part of a broader preventive framework.
“In addition to suggesting that intending couples obtain drug-free certificates, we believe early detection through drug tests can prevent severe consequences, including psychiatric disorders, which affect not only users but the society at large,” Marwa said.
To boost these efforts, he proposed assigning corps members with relevant academic backgrounds—such as psychology, nursing, psychiatry, or counseling—to NDLEA Counselling and Treatment Centres across the country as part of their primary service year.
“This will deepen their professional experience and enhance the agency’s rehabilitation efforts,” he added.
Responding to the proposal, NYSC DG Nafiu described it as a “fantastic idea,” and committed to reviewing the recommendations for possible implementation.
He further assured that NYSC would establish a comprehensive structure to facilitate the deployment of qualified corps members to NDLEA commands, particularly those with operational counseling and treatment units.
Nafiu also praised Marwa’s leadership and reaffirmed NYSC’s commitment to collaborating with the NDLEA to address the rising tide of drug abuse among Nigerian youth.
