This decision came after a meeting with Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), the Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, in Abuja on Wednesday. During the discussion, the parties discussed ways to reduce student substance misuse.
The minister also agreed to create an interministerial working group with the NDLEA and approved a review of the present secondary school curriculum to include updated drug education, according to a statement released by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, on Wednesday.
According to Babafemi, the NDLEA chief had suggested a three-pronged strategy: updating drug education materials in schools, establishing independent drug abuse prevention programs in secondary schools, and putting in place a drug testing policy for postsecondary institutions that covers testing at random and for new and returning students.
Citing its connections to illegal activities like terrorism and banditry, Marwa characterized the drug epidemic as a threat to youth development and national security.
He revealed that during the previous two years, the agency had apprehended more than 40,000 drug offenders and confiscated over 5,500 metric tons of drugs.
“We are battling for our children’s souls. “Many criminal activities would not be possible without drugs,” he stated.
Alausa replied, “When the youths get into drugs, they won’t go to school, and even when they go to school, they are not getting a functional education,” acknowledging the seriousness of the issue.
What occurs at the end of the day? They are less capable of critical thought.
“In older age, their capacity to make well-informed decisions is much diminished. They thereby lose their employability.
“And what takes place? You’re in that vicious loop now. They don’t work.
According to the minister, drug tests will be administered to new and returning students at postsecondary educational institutions.
“You also made a very significant statement regarding the drug test policy in higher education,” he remarked. We’ll get it done.
“We must do it. There is nothing we can do. At the very least, we will begin with random testing in tertiary institutions for both new and returning students.
He acknowledged that a revamped secondary school curriculum was in progress and announced the establishment of a Substance Use Prevention Unit within the ministry.
“I would propose that our ministry and NDLEA establish a technical working group, an interministerial working group,” Alausa stated.
Therefore, I also want to establish a Substance Use Prevention Unit within the ministry.
“We are now evaluating the secondary school curriculum. In order to find a means to cascade it down to primary school, I have requested the director of the senior secondary school to come and be here.
“We must include both elementary and secondary education in their curricula. However, we can now complete the secondary school one. Their new curriculum is presently being developed by us.
Additionally, I completely concur with you on stand-alone school programs. Additionally, we ought to create continuous programs for our schools. that we are able to roll out and fall.
The minister also pledged to support the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau State, in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the Universal Basic Education Commission.
