The Federal Government has introduced compulsory drug testing for both newly admitted and returning students in secondary schools across Nigeria as part of efforts to tackle rising substance abuse among adolescents.
The directive is outlined in the ‘National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria’ for secondary schools.
According to the government, the policy is designed to “create a conducive environment for teaching and learning in the institutions by reducing the negative effect substance abuse has on the mental health and academic performance of students/learners”.
Under the new rules, all students seeking admission into secondary schools will undergo mandatory drug screening at the point of entry.
“All new students/learners shall be subjected to drug tests and other measures approved by the schools/learning centres at the point of entry,” the guideline stated, according to Punch Newspaper.
In addition, schools are required to carry out routine drug tests for returning students at least once in every academic session.
“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 stated.
The guidelines also establish a structured three-stage process for handling students who test positive.
Explaining the objective, the policy noted that the system “is to identify students who may need help and to promote a safe and healthy school environment”.
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“Persons found to be positive to drugs shall undergo initial intervention and treatment, which shall include counselling as might be found appropriate by the school authority,” it stated.
“If found positive again, such a student shall be referred to a professional by the school authority to receive appropriate treatment and attention that might be required.”
For repeat cases, stricter measures apply.
“if found to be positive again, such a student shall be temporarily suspended from the school environment to receive treatment from a professional and undergo rehabilitation that might be found appropriate by the professional,” the policy added.
The guidelines also make provision for counselling before and after drug tests.
“Pre-test counselling is the guidance given before a person undergoes a drug integrity test. It aims to prepare the individual, clarify expectations, reduce anxiety, encourage cooperation and build trust,” the guideline added.
“Post-test counselling happens after results are available, regardless of whether the test is positive or negative. The goal is to support the individual to accept the result and link them to the right help.”
To ensure compliance, schools are required to set up disciplinary committees, while cases involving violence linked to substance abuse are to be escalated.
Such incidents, the policy noted, should be “reported to law enforcement agents”.
The government also warned that students who refuse treatment or rehabilitation may face temporary suspension until they are deemed stable.