Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd) has urged parents to acquire drug test kits for home use.
This, he said, is to ensure early detection of drug use by children and managing the situation.
Marwa said substance abuse had become a societal menace that endangers the health, well-being and future of young people.
He spoke at the opening ceremony of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Competition 2025, where he was the special guest of honour.
He said, “Let me be clear: drug abuse destroys ambition, extinguishes hope, and robs young people of the bright future that rightfully belongs to them. It is not just an individual tragedy; it is a national loss.
“As parents, guardians and teachers, we share the sacred responsibility of guiding our children along the right path – helping them to nurture their talents, pursue their dreams and avoid the destructive grip of drugs. We must remain close to our children, give them attention and never ignore the warning signs.
“In fact, I encourage families to take proactive steps, including acquiring drug test kits for home use. It is better to detect drug use early, when intervention is possible, than to wait until it develops into full-blown addiction,” he said.
Marwa also urged schools to establish drug-free clubs where they do not already exist.
He commended DEPOWA for organising the sports-based drug abuse prevention programme with the theme “Live Free, Stay Clean”.
In her remarks, DEPOWA) president, Mrs Oghogho Musa, said this year’s competition is a sports-based drug abuse prevention programme targeted at empowering secondary school students to lead drug-free lives through engagement in sports, awareness activities and positive lifestyle choices.
She said the rising cases of substance abuse among teenagers in Nigeria, especially with easy access to cannabis, codeine, inhalants and other psychoactive substances were deeply concerning.
