As part of its campaign against drug abuse across the country, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), has requested that youth corps members be mandated to undergo a drug test at the commencement of their one-year national service at the various orientation camps.

The chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa made the call when he was paid a courtesy visit at the agency's headquarters in Abuja by the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Fadah and his team on Wednesday 8th, 2022.

He explained that corps members should be subjected to a compulsory drug test as they report to the orientation camps, as this will help them abstain from using drugs, and those who test positive can be given the needed help.

Marwa highlighted the ravaging drug problems Nigeria is currently facing using a 2018 national drug survey data and implored the NYSC to work with his agency to curtail the growing trend.

Speaking earlier, Brig. Gen. Fadah said he came on the visit to appreciate NDLEA for past support of the scheme and also ask for further collaboration as NYSC prepares to open the gates of orientation camps across the country.

Recall that the NDLEA had in the past made similar calls to the former NYSC DG, Shuaibu Ibrahim, and various tertiary institutions, as well as political office holders. His pleas are yet to yield any positive results as neither of the institutions has accepted its proposal

"There is the need for drug test for our youth corps members as they report at the orientation camps. Once they know therell be drug test at the camps, they will abstain from it. The whole essence is to ensure help gets to those who test positive early. This is part of our War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, initiative," Marwa stated.