Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), has advocated for drug tests for intending couples in the country. According to him, this is a key factor to having a stable home.
Marwa said this at a conference organized by the Coal to Diamond Support Network, a Non-Governmental Organization, NGO, for young adults on Saturday in Abuja, through his representative, Shehu Dankolo, a Principal Staff Officer on Drug Demand Reduction at the NDLEA.
Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa’s wife, Hajia Munirat Marwa, who was the Chief Host of the event, also emphasized the need for drug tests before marriage, with warnings that drugs are destroying many marriages, families and communities.
Hajia Marwa, in her remarks, urged youths preparing for wedding to take drug tests as part of their preparations, adding that there is a difference between wedding and marriage. She said,
“The wedding as we all know it is a short time event while marriage is intended for a lifetime. As such, the conference has come at the right time when couples are putting more importance and emphasis on the wedding festivities rather than the marriage itself.
Brig. Gen. Marwa’s representative, while also speaking on the dire consequences of drug abuse, said, if would be couples choose to undergo HIV and genotype tests before marriage, without any law compelling them, they should equally consider doing drug tests, which is useful not only for their wellbeing, but also for the stability of their home.
He said,
“Substance use has been known not only to destroy marriages but equally lead to health problems, morbidity, injuries, violence, and death. Most often, the physical, psychological and social consequences of drug use are very obvious and disturbing.
He added that, the quality of life of an individual, be it mental, physical or spiritual, has definite impact on the society.
Other notable speakers at the event, who also reiterated the need for drug tests and counselling for intending couples, include: wife of the former Vice President, Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo, President of the Group, Bilkisu Mohammed, and the keynote speaker, Alhaji Sa’id Takuma.