The Federal Government has unveiled tough new measures to tackle drug and substance abuse in secondary schools, including compulsory drug testing for students and temporary suspension for repeat offenders who fail rehabilitation programmes.
Under the new National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria, all newly admitted students will undergo mandatory drug screening before gaining entry into secondary schools.
The policy also directs schools to conduct regular and surprise drug tests for both fresh and returning students at least once every academic session, in partnership with approved health facilities.
According to the guidelines, the initiative is aimed at reducing substance abuse among students and creating a safer environment for learning while improving students’ mental health and academic performance.
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Students found guilty of drug use will pass through a three-step intervention process. First-time offenders will receive counselling and treatment supervised by school authorities. Those who test positive again will be referred to specialists for further care.
However, students who continue to fail drug tests after repeated interventions may face temporary suspension to undergo professional rehabilitation outside the school environment.
The policy also mandates pre-test and post-test counselling to help students understand the process and access necessary support.
Schools are expected to establish disciplinary committees to enforce compliance, while violent incidents linked to drug abuse must be reported to law enforcement agencies.
The move comes amid rising concerns over increasing substance abuse among teenagers in Nigeria’s secondary schools.
