The Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kwara State, Hajia Fatima Abiola-Popoola, has advocated for mandatory drug tests for all incoming university students. She believes this measure would serve as a preventative step against drug abuse and allow for early intervention and counseling for those already struggling with addiction.
She explained: “This would serve as a preventive measure while offering early intervention and counselling for those already using drugs to prevent them from becoming problematic users.”
Abiola-Popoola expressed deep concern over the escalating drug use problem in Nigeria during a recent radio interview in Ilorin.
According to a 2018 survey, 14.3 million Nigerians are drug users, with one in seven individuals and one in four female 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 the society is in trouble because a woman is the administrator of the home.”
