The Federal Government has rolled out new measures aimed at tackling dr¥g and substance misuse in secondary schools across Nigeria, introducing mandatory dr¥g testing for students and disciplinary actions for repeated offenders.
Under the policy, all newly admitted secondary school students will undergo compulsory drug testing at the point of entry. The initiative is part of the National Implementation Guidelines Against Dr¥g and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria, designed to address rising concerns about substance ab¥se among students.
According to the guideline, the policy seeks to “create a conducive environment for teaching and learning in the institutions by reducing the negative effect substance ab¥se has on the mental health and academic performance of students/learners.”
It further states that “all new students/learners shall be subjected to dr¥g tests and other measures approved by the schools/learning centres at the point of entry,” and that this must be done “in collaboration with approved federal/state health facilities and procedures.”
In addition to entry screening, schools are expected to conduct periodic and random dr¥g tests at least once every academic session. The guideline also notes that “all students/learners shall undergo periodic drug tests as recommended by appropriate authorities.”
It also prohibits students from possessing or using controlled substances without authorization, stating that “all students/learners are prohibited from using or being in possession of narcotic drugs, controlled drugs or substances of abuse without approval from the school authority.”
The policy also provides that students who test positive may undergo treatment and rehabilitation, while those who repeatedly fail tests after intervention may face interim suspension.
