The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has shed more light on the agency’s proposal for compulsory drug tests for prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, clarifying that the initiative is not intended to be punitive but preventive in nature.
Speaking at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Director General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, alongside other top officials of the scheme, Marwa emphasized that the core objective of the proposed drug integrity tests is to deter drug use among young Nigerians and to enable early identification and intervention before addiction takes root.
The proposal, which recommends mandatory drug testing for prospective corps members, intending couples, and other critical groups, has sparked heated debates on social media and among civil society groups, with many interpreting it as an infringement on personal rights. However, Marwa maintained that the increasing prevalence of drug abuse among youths demands proactive, not reactive, measures.
“The drug scourge continues to ravage our communities, destroying families and shattering the lives of our youth,” Marwa said. “Available data shows that one in every seven Nigerians aged between 15 and 64 is a drug user. That is a staggering statistic that can no longer be ignored.”
He pointed out that the NDLEA is not only focused on intercepting the flow of illicit substances but also on reducing the demand for them, particularly among the country’s youthful population. He described the drug integrity test as one of the strategic tools in the agency’s broader framework to combat drug dependency and related social issues.
“The NYSC is a vital national institution, and corps members represent the future of this country. It is imperative that we protect them from the dangers of drug abuse. By introducing drug tests, we are not out to punish anyone, but to encourage responsibility, accountability, and ultimately, prevention,” Marwa explained.
While acknowledging the concerns raised in public discourse, Marwa appealed for understanding and cooperation, stressing that the fight against drug abuse must involve all sectors of society. He also commended the NYSC leadership for its openness to collaboration and expressed optimism that the agency and the corps scheme could jointly implement effective measures to curb drug use among young Nigerians.
The NDLEA’s push for the implementation of drug tests within the NYSC aligns with the agency’s ongoing efforts to strengthen drug control policies and promote health and security across the nation. As discussions on the feasibility and logistics of the proposal continue, it remains to be seen how it will be received by stakeholders and whether it will eventually become a formal requirement within the NYSC system.
