The House of Representatives has urged the Ministry of Education to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to develop a mandatory drug test for secondary school students in Nigeria.
This followed the adoption of a motion “On need to Introduce Mandatory Drug Test for Secondary School Students in Nigeria, by House Representative Moshood Oshun, (APC-Lagos) at plenary in Abuja on Thursday
Presenting the motion, Oshun, said the adolescent age remained a critical period in human development because individuals at this age were usually influenced by factors such as experimental curiosity, peer pressure, poor socio-economic conditions at home and the need for extra energy for daily activities.
He said that youth were critical stakeholders in fostering socio-economic development in the country, adding that their vulnerability to societal vices necessitates strategic government intervention to secure their well-being and enhance their contributions to national development.
The House also mandated its Committees on Basic Education and Services and Healthcare Services to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
By Opeoluwa Michael-Ayobami
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