By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, has advised parents and schools to acquire drug testing kits to help curb early exposure to substance abuse.

Marwa gave the advice on Monday at the opening of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Competition 2025 in Abuja.

He warned that substance abuse was robbing Nigerian youths of ambition, hope, and a promising future.

According to him, it is better to catch drug use early than wait until it becomes an addiction.

“We continue to appeal to parents to remain close to their children, give them more time and attention, and never ignore the warning signs.

“Drug abuse destroys ambition. It extinguishes hope. It robs young people of a bright future that rightfully belongs to them,” he said.

The NDLEA chairman commended DEPOWA for designing the competition as a sports-based drug abuse prevention programme with the theme ‘Live Free, Stay Clean’.

He said that sports should remain a noble pursuit that rewards discipline, hard work, and integrity, not shortcuts rooted in abuse.

He urged schools without drug-free clubs to set them up, assuring that NDLEA was ready to support their establishment nationwide.

“To our dear students here today, use sports as a healthy outlet, build resilience, and stay drug-free. Remember, saying no to drugs is saying yes to your future,” he said.

Marwa, who recalled his years as a student-athlete in the Nigerian Army hockey team, described sports as a vital tool in building resilience, teamwork and discipline among young people.

He formally declared the four-week DEPOWA sports competition open, wishing participants success in their games and drug-free journeys.

Earlier, the Lead Facilitator, Mr David Folaranmi, inaugurated the Peer Advocates in the participating schools who will champion anti-drug abuse campaigns in their various schools.

He shared his experience as an ex-user of drugs, and urged the students to do whatever it takes to stay away from substance abuse. (NAN)