The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled sweeping new measures aimed at tackling drug and substance abuse in secondary schools, including compulsory drug testing for students and the temporary suspension of pupils who repeatedly test positive after undergoing treatment and rehabilitation.
Under the new policy, all students seeking admission into secondary schools will be required to undergo mandatory drug integrity tests as part of the admission process.
The measures are contained in the National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria, obtained by our correspondent, which sets out a nationwide framework intended to curb rising substance abuse among adolescents and create safer learning environments.
According to the document, the policy seeks to “create a conducive environment for teaching and learning” by reducing the damaging effects of drug abuse on students’ mental health and academic performance.
The guideline states that “all new students/learners shall be subjected to drug tests and other measures approved by the schools/learning centres at the point of entry”, with the process to be conducted in partnership with approved federal and state health institutions.
Schools are also expected to carry out periodic and unannounced drug screenings for both new and returning students at least once every academic session.
“All students/learners shall undergo periodic drug tests as recommended by appropriate authorities,” the document states.
The policy further bans students from possessing or consuming narcotics, controlled substances or other drugs of abuse without authorisation from school authorities.
Students who require controlled medication for legitimate medical conditions, however, must disclose such prescriptions through parents or guardians during admission.
The framework establishes a three-stage intervention system for students who test positive, describing the policy as an effort to identify vulnerable students and provide support while promoting a safer school environment.
Students who fail an initial test will undergo counselling and treatment measures determined by school authorities.
“Persons found to be positive to drugs shall undergo the initial intervention and treatment, which shall include counselling as might be found appropriate by the school authority,” the guideline states.
Students who test positive a second time will be referred to healthcare professionals for more specialised treatment and monitoring.
“If found positive again, such a student shall be referred to a professional by the school authority to take appropriate treatment and attention that might be required,” the document says.
For students who continue to test positive after a third round of testing and intervention, the policy provides for temporary removal from the school environment.
“If found to be positive again, such a student shall be temporarily suspended from the school environment to take treatment from a professional and undergo rehabilitation,” the guideline adds.
The policy also introduces mandatory counselling before and after every drug screening exercise.
According to the document, pre-test counselling is intended to prepare students for the process, reduce anxiety and encourage cooperation, while post-test counselling is designed to help students process results and connect them with appropriate support services.
To enforce the policy, every school is expected to establish a disciplinary committee headed by the school administrator and assigned with oversight responsibilities.
The guideline further directs that violent incidents linked to substance abuse, including physical assaults and fighting, must be reported to law enforcement authorities.
Students who refuse to comply with prescribed treatment or rehabilitation measures may also be temporarily removed from the school environment “until he/she is found to be stable”.
The policy comes amid mounting concern among education and health stakeholders over increasing rates of drug and substance abuse among adolescents in Nigeria, with experts warning of its effects on academic performance, mental health, discipline and school security.
While supporters of the measures argue that early screening and intervention could help reduce substance abuse among students, critics are likely to question whether schools and public health institutions possess the capacity, safeguards and resources required to implement the policy effectively nationwide.
