𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐅𝐆’𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

Health experts and stakeholders have expressed support for the Federal Government’s proposal to introduce mandatory drug tests for secondary school students as part of efforts to combat rising substance abuse among youths.
The experts argued that drug abuse has become a growing concern in schools across Nigeria and requires urgent intervention to protect students and the future of the country.
Speaking on the issue, stakeholders stressed that one of the biggest challenges in tackling drug abuse is denial and failure to openly acknowledge the scale of the problem.
“We have a drug problem among secondary school students in the country, and one of the ways to tackle it is not to live in denial and not to pretend that we don’t have that problem. We have the problem, and the problem has to be solved,” one expert stated.
Supporters of the policy believe regular drug testing could help identify affected students early and create opportunities for counselling, rehabilitation and proper intervention.
They also argued that the initiative may discourage substance abuse and improve discipline, academic performance and overall student wellbeing.
However, some education and child rights advocates have called for caution, insisting that the policy should be implemented with proper safeguards to avoid stigmatization, discrimination or abuse of students’ rights.
Analysts say tackling drug abuse among young people will also require stronger awareness campaigns, parental involvement, mental health support and community-based interventions.
The Federal Government has continued discussions on strategies aimed at addressing drug abuse and other social challenges affecting Nigerian youths.