The federal government has mandated drug tests for newly admitted and returning students across secondary schools in the country.
The measures are contained in the ‘National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria’ for secondary schools.
The government said the policy aims 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 move comes amid concerns over a spike in cases of drug and substance abuse among adolescents in Nigeria.
Under the new policy, all newly admitted secondary school students must undergo compulsory drug tests at the point of entry.
“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 newspaper.
It added that schools are also expected to conduct periodic drug tests for returning students at least once 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.
The policy further establishes a three-stage testing and intervention process for students who test positive.
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 policy 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.”
The policy mandates every school to establish a disciplinary committee in a bid to enforce compliance, noting that violent incidents linked to substance abuse should be “reported to law enforcement agents”.
It further warned that students who refuse to comply with prescribed treatment or rehabilitation procedures should be temporarily suspended until they are found to be stable
