By Suleiman Abdulmumin
Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa has strongly advocated drug integrity tests for youth corps members, intending couples, among others. This is aimed at discouraging drug use and subjecting positive individuals to early treatment.
During an audience with the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig Gen Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, Marwa highlighted the devastating impact of drug abuse among Nigerian youths. In his reckoning, one in every seven Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 years are drug users, necessitating concerted efforts at demand reduction.
Marwa advised NYSC to introduce drug integrity tests among corps members, stating that it can detect drug consumption early and also apprehend addiction. He also recommended posting capable corps members to NDLEA counseling and treatment centers for on-the-job training.
The Director General of NYSC welcomed the proposal warmly, promising to study it and consider possible cooperation. He appreciated Marwa’s leadership and the friendly cooperation between NDLEA and NYSC and wished to advance their cooperation further.