The Chairman and the CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,(NDLEA),Retired Brigadier-General Buba Marwa has reiterated the need for Nigeria to adopt a National Drug Test Policy. To demonstrate leadership by example,the NDLEA Chairman led the way with his top management staff by undergoing the drug integrity test, It was a surprise test for the NDLEA Directors and the Agency staff at its National Headquarters in Abuja who had to undergo the drug test without a prior notice.
General Marwa explained that the action became necessary to give members of staff of the Agency the moral authority to conduct the test for other nigerians. He added that it would be faulty to ask others to undergo the drug test without submitting yourself for it in the first place.
The result of the tests conducted by a group of Consultants in addiction psychiatry led by Doctor Vincent Udenze showed that General Marwa returned negative along with his officers. Armed with this, NDLEA is battle ready to lead the campaign for drug test for nigerians.
The spike in violent crimes like banditry and terrorism has made it compelling not to spare antone in the Drug test. General Marwa pointed out that from the Politicians,to Students,Civil Servants,nobody should be spared of the Drug Test.
In a welcome development, the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has embraced the Drug Test in its services .Similarly, the National Association of Nigeria Students(NANS) ,has also endorsed the Drug Test Policy proposal. This would help to determine the status of students early enough and help to introduce necessary interventions for those in need of it. The President of NANS, Sunday Asefon said, drug test would also help to tame the growing crimes among the youth.
Another good news is coming from Kano where the state government has also endorsed the National Drug Test Policy.
Will the National Assembly also follow suit, and enact a law to give legal backing to this laudable proposal?
It might interest you to know that about 15million nigerians are said to be active in drug abuse according to a report released by the NDLEA.
Action Now Against Drug Abuse 