FG To Begin Compulsory Drug Tests For Secondary School Students

The Federal Government has mandated compulsory drug testing for both newly admitted and returning students in secondary schools across Nigeria.

The directive is part of the “National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria” designed for secondary schools nationwide.

According to the government, the policy is meant 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”.

The decision follows growing concerns over the increasing rate of substance abuse among teenagers in the country.

Under the new guidelines, every student gaining admission into a secondary school will be required to undergo a drug test before resuming.

“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 document reads, according to Punch.

Schools have also been directed to organise routine drug tests for returning students at least once during 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.

To address cases involving students who test positive, the government introduced a three-step intervention process aimed at helping affected students while maintaining safety within schools.

The aim, it said, “is to identify students who may need help and to promote a safe and healthy school environment”.

“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,” the policy 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.”

After a third round of testing and intervention, the policy said, “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 guidelines also introduces mandatory pre-test and post-test counselling for students undergoing screening.

“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 reads.

“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.”

In addition, every school is expected to set up a disciplinary committee to ensure compliance with the policy.

The government also directed schools to report violent incidents connected to substance abuse to security agencies.

Students who refuse treatment, counselling, or rehabilitation may also face temporary suspension until they are considered stable enough to return to school.

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