By Faith Ajewole
The Federal Government has mandated Nigerian tertiary institutions to temporarily suspend students who repeatedly test positive for drugs, according to the newly released National Implementation Guidelines Against Drugs and Substance Use in Schools.
The policy introduces a mandatory three-stage screening process designed to balance campus safety with rehabilitation:
Stage 1: An initial test establishes the student’s status; those testing positive receive counseling and treatment.
Stage 2: A second positive test triggers a referral to medical professionals for advanced care.
Stage 3: A third positive result leads to temporary suspension from the institution for professional rehabilitation.
Under the new guidelines, universities must collaborate with approved health facilities to conduct drug integrity tests for all freshers, alongside periodic testing for returning students at least once per session. Student Affairs Officers will head new disciplinary committees to enforce compliance.
Students who refuse rehabilitation will be barred from campus until certified stable.
Furthermore, the policy targets campus commerce: vendors or shop owners linked to drug activities will lose their operating licenses and face referral to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
This stricter regulatory framework follows rising concerns from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) regarding youth abuse of cannabis, codeine, and tramadol, substances stakeholders link to surging campus cultism, violence, and mental health crises.
News Credit: THE PUNCH E-PAPER
