The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled far-reaching measures aimed at tackling the growing menace of drug and substance abuse in secondary schools across the country, introducing compulsory drug integrity tests for students and strict disciplinary actions for repeat offenders.
Under the new policy, students seeking admission into secondary schools will now be required to undergo mandatory drug tests as part of the admission process, while students found to be abusing drugs repeatedly may face temporary suspension after undergoing treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
The new directives are contained in the National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria for secondary schools, a policy document designed to provide a coordinated framework for preventing and addressing substance abuse among adolescents in learning institutions nationwide.
The policy is coming amid increasing concerns over the rising rate of drug abuse among teenagers and school-age children, which education stakeholders and health experts say has contributed to indiscipline, declining academic performance, violence, mental health challenges and criminal behaviour in schools.
According to details of the guideline obtained by our correspondent, the Federal Government said the initiative is intended to promote safer school environments, improve student wellbeing and discourage the spread of drug-related activities within educational institutions.
The document outlines preventive, corrective and rehabilitative strategies to be implemented by school administrators, teachers, counsellors, parents and government agencies in addressing the problem.
A major highlight of the policy is the introduction of compulsory drug integrity testing for newly admitted students in secondary schools. Authorities said the measure is intended to identify students already exposed to harmful substances at an early stage and ensure they receive proper counselling and intervention before the situation worsens.
The guideline also recommends periodic drug testing for students where necessary, especially in cases involving suspicious behaviour, repeated misconduct or evidence suggesting involvement in substance abuse.
Under the framework, students who test positive for drug use will not immediately face expulsion. Instead, the policy emphasises counselling, treatment and rehabilitation as the first line of response.
However, students who repeatedly test positive after undergoing rehabilitation and support programmes may face temporary suspension from school as part of disciplinary and corrective measures aimed at protecting other students and maintaining order within the school system.
Education authorities noted that the temporary suspension would not be purely punitive but would serve as an opportunity for affected students to undergo intensive rehabilitation and behavioural monitoring before reintegration into school.
The guideline further directs schools to establish functional counselling units and anti-drug committees to coordinate awareness campaigns, peer education and intervention programmes.
Teachers and school administrators are also expected to receive training on identifying early warning signs of substance abuse among students and responding appropriately without stigmatization.
The policy encourages closer collaboration between schools, parents, healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies and community leaders in combating the spread of illicit substances among young people.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is expected to play a significant role in the implementation process through advocacy campaigns, counselling support and monitoring activities in schools.
Officials familiar with the guideline said the framework was developed following increasing reports of drug abuse involving secondary school students across several states, with substances such as cannabis, codeine mixtures, tramadol and other harmful stimulants reportedly becoming more common among teenagers.
Stakeholders in the education sector have expressed mixed reactions to the new measures.
While many school administrators and parents have welcomed the policy as a bold step toward restoring discipline and protecting students from dangerous habits, some child rights advocates have raised concerns about privacy, possible stigmatization and the need to ensure that implementation is carried out in a humane and professional manner.
Experts have also stressed the importance of focusing on rehabilitation rather than criminalization, warning that students struggling with substance abuse require psychological and emotional support in addition to disciplinary measures.
The Federal Government, however, maintained that the policy is designed to balance discipline with compassion by prioritising treatment, counselling and reintegration over outright punishment.
The government said the guidelines would help schools develop a unified and proactive response to substance abuse while fostering healthier learning environments for students across the country.
Observers say the success of the initiative will largely depend on effective implementation, adequate funding, proper training of school personnel and sustained collaboration between families, schools and relevant government agencies.
With the new policy now in place, secondary schools across Nigeria are expected to begin adjusting their admission processes and internal regulations to align with the Federal Government’s anti-drug framework as authorities intensify efforts to curb substance abuse among young people.
