By Ibironke Ariyo

An NGO, Anti-Kidnapping, Human Trafficking, Child Abuse and Drug Abuse Initiative (AKH-TRACADA) has called on the NDLEA to introduce compulsory drug testing for major national institutions and road safety protocols in Nigeria.

The Founder and Executive Director of the NGO, Belonwu Ezeanyaeche, who said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, said it would serve as part of registration and participation processes.

He said that the proposed drug test would be made mandatory for candidates writing the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

He advocated for the inclusion of commercial drivers, especially those driving lorries and buses before issuance or renewal of driver’s licenses, stressing that it should be at six-month intervals for such drivers.

He said that this would ensure the continued safety of commuters and reduce the number of avoidable road crashes.

“A driver under the influence of illicit drugs or substances is exposed to grave risks such as sleeping while driving, speeding, loss of consciousness, dangerous overtaking and poor judgement, which are major contributors to the daily road carnage,” he said.

He said that data from relevant road safety and public health stakeholders indicates that human errors, directly linked to drugs and psychotropic substances abuse, accounted for over 95 per cent of road traffic accidents in Nigeria.

He added that the incorporation of a drug testing system in the education sector would not only tackle drug abuse but also curb cultism.

Ezeanyaeche added that it would also reduce criminal tendencies and foster a more secure and morally sound academic environment.

“Making the NDLEA illicit drug test mandatory for school-age children preparing for exams will minimise the use and abuse of drugs as well as improve mental and cognitive health, and promote quality education outcomes,” he said.

The NGO boss emphasised that early detection and testing would help safeguard Nigerian youths against exposure to substances through peer pressure, cult activities, poverty, and exploitation.

He said that the drug testing policy would contribute to the fight against human trafficking, child abuse, and other related crimes by addressing one of their key enablers.

He called on the Ministries of Education, Youth Development, Transportation, and Health to partner with the NDLEA and Civil Society Organisations to create a multi-sectoral framework for implementation.

“We must see this as a national emergency. A drug-free youth population is a catalyst for national transformation. Schools, exam bodies, and even transport unions must work together to protect our future and our roads,” he added.

Ezeanyaeche also appealed to stakeholders in the transport industry to embrace the initiative, noting that public support would be crucial in building a safer, healthier and more productive society.

He reiterated the commitment of AKH-TRACADA to collaborate with relevant government agencies to ensure that the drug testing initiative becomes a permanent policy in Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Ismail Abdulaziz