The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), has advocated mandatory drug screening for intending couples.
Marwa made the call on Tuesday at the launch of the Campaign Against Drug Abuse and the signing of Executive Orders establishing the Jigawa State Task Force on Drug Abuse Control and Mass Mobilisation for Social Reorientation at the Government House, Dutse.
He said the screening should become as important as HIV and genotype tests before marriage.
According to him, many marriages are disrupted shortly before wedding ceremonies after one of the intending couples is found to be abusing illicit drugs, a situation he described as avoidable through early screening.
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“Today, when our children are preparing for marriage, families routinely request HIV test results and genotype compatibility tests. Why shouldn’t we also request a drug-free certificate? This should apply to both the bride and the groom,” he said.
The NDLEA boss noted that no parent would willingly give out a daughter in marriage to a known drug addict, stressing that drug screening before marriage would help families make informed decisions and protect homes from the devastating effects of substance abuse.
He urged the Jigawa State Government to consider adopting the initiative as part of its strategy to combat drug abuse, adding that the campaign had continued to gain acceptance in different parts of the country.
Marwa disclosed that the NDLEA handles cases almost daily involving marriages cancelled just days before the wedding because one of the intending couples tested positive for illicit drug use.
He reiterated that drug abuse remains a major threat to families, communities, and national development, calling on parents, religious leaders, traditional institutions, and civil society organisations to support efforts aimed at preventing substance abuse among young people.
The NDLEA Chairman commended Governor Umar Namadi for establishing the Jigawa State Task Force on Drug Abuse Control, describing the initiative as a proactive step that other states should emulate in the fight against illicit drug use.
Commenting after the signing of the two executive orders, Governor Namadi urged members of the newly inaugurated task forces to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, dedication, and patience.
He described the fight against drug abuse and societal reorientation as long-term assignments requiring sustained commitment rather than short-term interventions.
Governor Namadi commended NDLEA Chairman Marwa for the agency’s continued partnership with the state and praised the Jigawa State Command of the NDLEA for its operational achievements, including the seizure of nearly 2,000 kilograms of illicit drugs worth over N2.8 billion and securing 136 convictions.
He appealed to the NDLEA leadership to provide additional operational support to the Jigawa Command to ensure the effective implementation of the newly signed Executive Orders.
