Why corps members need to undergo drug test - NDLEA boss

Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has disclosed why it's important for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to take drug integrity tests.

According to Marwa, the move is aimed at discouraging substance abuse and providing early treatment.

He made this known while addressing the NYSC Director General, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu and other officials, who visited him at his office in Abuja on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

The NDLEA boss explained that the measure was not punitive, clarifying that those who test positive can receive treatment for drug dependence and other health challenges before their condition degenerates.

ALSO READ: "Go to your parents, not your boyfriends" – NYSC Coordinator to female Corpers

Marwa congratulated Nafiu on his recent appointment as NYSC DG, describing the scheme as a national treasure and a veritable instrument of national unity.

“The drug scourge has continued to devastate our kids, families, and communities everywhere. There’s nowhere you go in the country that you don’t have a drug abuse problem,” he stated.

“One in seven Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 uses drugs. You have mentioned our efforts to cut off access and availability of these drugs but beyond that, we have to work with all stakeholders, including NYSC to ensure drastic reduction in the demand for drugs by our youths and one of our strategies to address this is through our drug integrity test, which we’re advocating that NYSC should embrace for corps members.”

The NDLEA Chairman further stated that the drug supply reduction will also be accompanied by drug demand reduction through preventive measures, as well as counselling and rehabilitation.

“These are important areas for further collaboration. You have introduced in the camps the War Against Drug Abuse clubs, which is fantastic. One other important area of collaboration is the question of drug integrity tests for youth corps members.

ALSO READ: I never said that - Minister denies proposing 2-year service for corps members

“It’s a major drug demand reduction effort. In the same way we said, if you are getting married, both the bride and the groom should bring a drug-free certificate.

“This is because it is always better to detect drug use early before it gets to addiction, which eventually could get to psychiatric problems, and it becomes a danger to the user and society,” Marwa said.