The chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), has said that the current push to conduct drug test on politicians, workers and students was to urgently provide help for those who need treatment and rehabilitation, in addition to deterrence.
He said this on Friday in Abuja while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a firm, Primly Services Limited for the supply of free drug test kits to NDLEA in Abuja.
Expressing happiness that the MoU is finally signed almost three years after the federal government had approved the deal, Marwa said, “At the centre of drug demand reduction is drug testing.
“Practically, all Nigerians should be subjected to drug test; politicians, students, workers and all. We have set the ball rolling at the agency because charity begins at home. This will enable us know those afflicted, who need treatment and rehabilitation.
“Equally, it will deter drug abuse because if you know that the result of a drug test will hamper your progression in school, political career or at work, it will deter you. In the same vein, we do expect parents to make sure their children don’t get married to addicts by insisting on drug test before marriage.”
He also expressed delight in the readiness by the Managing Director of Primly Services Ltd, Dr. Vincent Udenze, to always contribute to efforts to rid Nigeria of illicit substances.
Thanking the firm for its professionalism and willingness to partner with NDLEA in fighting the drug scourge afflicting the country, Marwa said that apart from the high quality of the test kits, they are coming at no cost to the agency, adding that the company will only recover its cost from testing.
Speaking earlier, Dr. Udenze said that apart from the test kits coming to NDLEA at no cost, the firm would ensure that the kits are one of the best in the country and that his organisation will not fail in its duty in this regard.
