The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has proposed mandatory drug tests for newly admitted university students across Nigeria.
The initiative was announced by the NDLEA Commandant in Kwara State, Fatima Abiola-Popoola, during a radio program in Ilorin over the weekend.
According to Abiola-Popoola, the mandatory drug tests aim to curb the growing issue of drug abuse among young people in the country.
She emphasised that the tests would not only act as a preventive measure but also provide early intervention and counseling for students who are already using drugs, helping to prevent them from becoming habitual users.
She stated, “It would serve as a preventive measure while offering early intervention and counselling for those already using drugs to prevent them from becoming problematic users.”
The NDLEA Commandant expressed concern over the increasing number of drug users, particularly among females, in Nigeria.
She cited a 2018 survey which revealed that 14.3 million people in Nigeria were using drugs, with one out of every seven Nigerians being a drug user. Alarmingly, one out of every four drug users is a woman.
She added, “A 2018 survey shows that 14.3 million people were using drugs in Nigeria. One out of 7 persons in Nigeria is a drug user and one out of 4 drug users is a woman.
“This shows that the society is in trouble because a woman is the administrator of the home.”
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