The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has explained why it is proposing a drug test for students of tertiary institutions in the country. This became necessary following the outrage that followed the announcement of the plan by concerned Nigerians and students.
Speaking on Tuesday, on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said that the agency is treating drugs as a public health issue and not a criminal offence.
He said, “We’re treating this as a public health issue, not a crime, let me quickly put that in perspective.”
He noted that 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 the people who test positive are not punished or expelled from the school. They are taken for treatment to win off these substances and also to get them reintegrated back to their classes. And back to their academic pursuit.
“When they test positive, it is to detect early and bring support for them. Perhaps some of these institutions have counselling and treatment centres. Those that don’t have, we have 30 of our treatment counselling centres across the country. And we have three more coming up in the next couple of weeks. All of these are provided for people to get support and treatment.
Babafemi also emphasized that the agency is taking proactive steps to cater to the mental health of students facing drug-related issues.
He said, “Apart from that, we also have a 24hr call centre. Where we have our mental health centres, counsellors, clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrist doctors that provide these also. On the telephone, we have our two free helplines that people can always call and get the needed support.
“All of these we provide to ensure that students are not just tested and left or abandoned. They also get support and even write on our test kit. We have our two free helplines in the comfort of their home. Call and get the needed support, guidance and get support for their loved ones that test positive.”
source: Channels TV
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