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The Federal Government has directed universities and other tertiary institutions across the country to temporarily suspend students who repeatedly test positive for drugs, as part of new measures aimed at tackling substance abuse in schools.

The directive is contained in the National Implementation Guidelines Against Drugs and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria (Tertiary Institutions), which outlines procedures for mandatory drug testing, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation for students.

It was obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday.

Under the guidelines, students who test positive after undergoing three stages of drug screening and intervention could be removed from the school environment pending rehabilitation.

“Students found to be positive in the second testing stage shall be made to undergo a third stage of testing, and if found to be positive again, such a student shall be temporarily suspended from the school environment to take treatment from a professional and undergo rehabilitation,” the policy stated.

It also directed all tertiary institutions to conduct mandatory drug integrity tests for newly admitted students in collaboration with approved health facilities.

According to the document, the objective is to identify students who may require help while promoting safer and healthier learning environments across campuses.

“The aim is to identify students who may need help, promote a safe and healthy school environment,” the guidelines stated.

The government stated that the testing process would commence with an initial assessment designed to determine the health status of students.

“The first test is to ascertain the health status of every student. Persons found to be positive to drugs shall undergo the initial intervention and treatment, which shall include counselling,” the document added.

Students who fail the first test would undergo counselling and treatment before being subjected to a second screening.

Those who test positive again would be referred to professionals for further medical attention and rehabilitation.

The guidelines also mandated periodic drug testing for returning students at least once every academic session.

In addition to sanctions for students, institutions were directed to establish disciplinary committees headed by student affairs officers to oversee compliance and enforcement.

The document further warned that students who refuse rehabilitation procedures could also be separated from the school environment until they are considered stable.

“Any student who refuses to abide by the treatment/rehabilitation procedures shall be temporarily separated from the school environment until he/she is found to be stable,” the guidelines stated.

The policy extends beyond students to include shop owners and vendors operating within campuses.

The government warned that vendors linked to drug-related activities could lose their operating licences and be reported to law enforcement agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The new measures come amid growing concerns over rising cases of substance abuse among young Nigerians, particularly within tertiary institutions.

Data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and previous national drug use surveys have consistently shown increasing rates of drug consumption among Nigerian youths, with substances such as cannabis, codeine, tramadol, and other psychoactive drugs commonly abused.

Authorities and education stakeholders have repeatedly raised concerns that drug abuse is contributing to cultism, violent behaviour, declining academic performance, mental health challenges and insecurity on campuses.

In recent years, the Federal Government and the NDLEA have intensified advocacy campaigns in schools, warning that substance abuse among students has become a major public health and security concern.

The latest guidelines signal a tougher regulatory approach, combining counselling and rehabilitation with disciplinary measures aimed at discouraging drug use within tertiary institutions.