Students seeking admission into some tertiary institutions may be required to undergo drug integrity tests as part of efforts to curb substance abuse among young people.
The Rivers State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Commander Kenneth Ofor, disclosed this during a War Against Drugs programme at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic.
Speaking on the theme, “World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges and Innovative Responses,” Ofor said students who test positive for substances are subjected to brief intervention counselling to help address drug use.
The development comes as the Chairman of Elelewon Community, His Royal Highness Eze Sunny Wali, urged the NDLEA and the police to arrest and prosecute persons involved in the distribution and abuse of illicit drugs.
Wali said drug abuse has caused significant harm to families, noting that some users sell their belongings at very low prices to raise money to purchase drugs.
Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, Rivers State Command, Voke Emore, called on community leaders, the media and the public to sustain the fight against drug abuse.
He said the menace affects the entire society and requires collective efforts to address it.
Ayibapreye Ogunu reports that students who attended the programme welcomed the initiative, saying sustained sensitisation could help reduce drug abuse among young people.
