The Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has called on families to acquire drug test kits for home use as part of preventive efforts against substance abuse among young people.
Speaking at the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Competition in Abuja, Marwa emphasized that early detection is critical to preventing addiction.
“Drug abuse robs young people of the bright future that rightfully belongs to them. It is not just an individual tragedy; it is a national loss,” he said. “We must remain close to our children, give them attention, and never ignore the warning signs.”
He praised DEPOWA for using sports as a platform for sensitization under the theme “Live Free, Stay Clean.” Marwa also encouraged schools to establish drug-free clubs, assuring that the NDLEA was ready to support them with awareness and prevention programmes.
In her remarks, DEPOWA President, Mrs. Oghogho Gwabin Musa, explained that the initiative was created to empower secondary school students to live drug-free lives through awareness, engagement, and positive peer influence.
She added that the four-week programme, which will end on October 16, 2025, is aimed at sustaining awareness about substance abuse and its dangers, especially among adolescents vulnerable to peer pressure and misinformation. Mrs. Musa also acknowledged the support of partners, including the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and commended the NDLEA for its rehabilitation and sensitization efforts across the country.
