Marwa Urges Families to Use Drug Test Kits at Home to Curb Abuse

Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), has urged Nigerian families to take proactive steps in tackling drug abuse among young people, including the use of drug test kits at home.

Marwa stressed that early detection is crucial, saying: “It is better to detect drug use early, when intervention is possible, than to wait until it develops into full-blown addiction.”

Speaking at the DEPOWA (Defence and Police Officers Wives Association) Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Competition 2025 in Abuja, the NDLEA boss warned that drug abuse strips youths of their future and constitutes a national tragedy.

“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.

He cautioned young Nigerians to avoid drugs, noting that substance abuse “destroys ambition, extinguishes hope, and endangers the health, wellbeing, and future of our young people.”

Marwa also charged parents, guardians, and teachers to remain vigilant: “As parents, guardians, and teachers, we share the sacred responsibility of guiding our children along the right path, helping them nurture their talents, pursue their dreams, and avoid the destructive grip of drugs. We must remain close to our children, give them attention, and never ignore the warning signs.”

Highlighting the theme of the event, “Live Free, Stay Clean,” Marwa commended DEPOWA for its initiative, describing it as “a thoughtful and timely sports-based drug abuse prevention programme.”

He added: “Sports should remain a noble pursuit, rewarding discipline, hard work, and integrity—not shortcuts rooted in abuse, including performance-enhancing drugs. To our dear students, I say: seize this opportunity. Use sports as a healthy outlet, build resilience, and stay drug-free. Remember, saying no to drugs is saying yes to your future.”

Marwa further encouraged schools to establish drug-free clubs, assuring that the NDLEA would support such efforts as part of its mission to build a healthier and safer nation.

In her remarks, Mrs. Oghogho Musa, President of DEPOWA, said the programme is aimed at empowering secondary school students through “engagement, awareness, and positive peer influence” to live drug-free lives.