NDLEA justifies plan for drug testing in higher institutions
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has explained why the anti-narcotics agency is proposing drug tests for students of tertiary institutions.
On Tuesday, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, speaking to journalists, stated that the agency is addressing drug use as a public health issue, not a criminal offense.
“We’re treating this as a public health issue, not a crime; let me quickly put that into perspective,” he said.
According to the NDLEA spokesman, students who test positive for hard drugs should be given the necessary support to thrive on school grounds.
“Whoever tests positive for drug use in that situation—that’s why we work with these institutions—we collaborate with them so that those who test positive are not punished or expelled from the school. Instead, they are taken for treatment to wean off these substances and to help them reintegrate back into their classes and continue their academic pursuits.”
“When they test positive, it is to detect drug use early and provide support for them. Some of these institutions have counseling and treatment centers; for those that don’t, we have 30 of our treatment and counseling centers across the country, with three more coming up in the next couple of weeks. All of these are available to ensure that people receive the support and treatment they need.”
Babafemi also indicated that the agency is taking proactive steps to address the mental health of students facing drug-related issues.
“Apart from that, we also have a 24-hour call center staffed with mental health experts, including counselors, clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists. These professionals provide support over the phone through our two toll-free helplines that people can always call to receive the necessary assistance.”
“All of these services are provided to ensure that students are not just tested and then abandoned; they also receive support. Even on our test kits, we include our two toll-free helplines, so they can call from the comfort of their homes to get the necessary support, guidance, and assistance for their loved ones who test positive.”
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.
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