The Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kwara State, Hajia Fatima Abiola-Popoola, has revealed plans to conduct mandatory drug tests on students before admission into the university.

This move, she said, will become a part of the admissions process into varsity, adding that it would “serve as a preventive measure while offering early intervention and counselling for those already using drugs to prevent them from becoming problematic users.”

Hajia Abiola-Popoola made the suggestion during a radio programme in Ilorin.

Speaking during the interview, the NDLEA boss expressed concern over the rising number of drug users in the country.

She said: “A 2018 survey shows that 14.3 million people were using drugs in Nigeria. One out of 7 persons in Nigeria is a drug user, and one out of 4 drug users is a woman.

“This shows that society is in trouble because a woman is the administrator of the home.”

The call for mandatory drug tests has attracted several reactions from Nigerians on social media.

@Na2iVe: Good one, it should also be expanded to those who are contesting for political offices

@nohrix: What happens when a candidate tests positive to drug use?
Where are the rehabilitation programs and centres?
What programs do you have in place to manage them and get them back on track to live a healthy normal life?
Are you planning to do the same for politicians too? Seems they need it more!
Good gesture still considering how much damage drugs are causing to our society! But the bulk of the effort shouldn’t be on just identifying drug users but should be on rehabilitation and prevention

@AzeezOseni4: This a welcome development because lot of youth have engaged in drug by running their life. This is good development

@Chinorita29: Good for them if they will do it legally

@addel_cares: When will you guys start to test our politicians, too? Because they obviously not leading us with clear eyes.

@okparajoyf: Agreed as long as it's free.
Meanwhile, I would love them to start with Tinubu n then get themselves too tested.
Shouldn't they all lead by example?

@Karovoni: How about politicians seeking political office?

@MasterAdetoye: This is very good and well supported. In fact, drug test should be done every semester or even more frequently. This will help curb or at least reduce the abuse of drugs by the youths in higher institution.

@BernardBugzy: This should be done before every semester exam. It's essential because students are typically innocent when they start, but they might get influenced by the wrong crowd as time goes on.