NANS Supports NDLEA, Okays Drug Tests For Students

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has applauded the policy proposal by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for students to undergo drug integrity tests before admission into the university.

The President of NANS, Asefon Sunday, expressed support for the initiative during a solidarity visit to the new Chairman/Chief Executive, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (Rtd), on Wednesday in Abuja.

Asefon said: “We support the drug test policy. Drug has done more harm than good to the Nigerian students. We do not want Nigerian students to continue to die of drugs.”

The NAN’s President, who gave instances of students who undermine the danger of drugs, noted that the initiative is not only preventive but would encourage others to stop the habit knowing that the authorities would detect it.

“We are here to congratulate you and declare our support for your nascent administration. From your antecedents, we can now go home to sleep with our two eyes closed with the assurance that Nigeria is in safe hands, on drug control issues,” he said.

Asefon noted that most of the drug problems ravaging the students are when they leave their homes and start schooling.

General Marwa, in his response, commended NANS for the congratulatory visit and show of solidarity.

He said: “I am particularly delighted by your promise to cleanse our campuses of drugs. Your buying into our drug testing among students is equally encouraging.”

Marwa further called on them to strengthen and initiate more “Drug-Free Clubs” on campuses.

“There have been some objections to the drug testing initiative. But we cannot watch our students taking drugs and jumping into the well thinking it is a swimming pool,” he said.

“The testing of students is to determine their status early enough and decide the form of intervention to deploy. It is by no means punitive”, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive added

—Vanguard News Nigeria