The chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, retired Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa says there is a dire need for pre-marital drug test to enthrone a stable home.
Marwa, who spoke at a social function for young adults in Abuja, emphasized the need for drug test before marriage, warning that drugs are destroying many marriages, families and communities.
While warning on the dire consequences of drug abuse, Gen. Marwa who was represented by a Principal Officer on Drug Demand Reduction, Shehu Dankolo, said substance use has been known to destroy marriages, lead to health problems, morbidity, injuries, violence, and death.
According to him, the mental, physical and spiritual quality of life of individuals have definite impact on the future of society and as such, if would-be-couples choose to undergo HIV and genotype tests before marriage without any law compelling them, they should equally consider drug test as critical to their wellbeing and stability of their home.
In her remarks, the convener of the programme, Hajia Munirat Marwa urged youths preparing for wedding to take drug test as part of their preparations, adding that there is a difference between wedding and marriage.
She described wedding as a short time event while marriage is intended for a lifetime and advised couples to desist from putting more importance and emphasis on wedding festivities rather than the marriage itself.
Hajia Munirat noted that pre-marital counseling and drug test will prepare the couples well, reduce domestic violence which often leads to divorce, increase happiness and longevity in marriages
Other speakers at the event including wife of the former Vice President Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo, Bilkisu Mohammed, Alhaji Saaid Takuma among others emphasized the need for proper counseling so that would be couples can safeguard their marriages and future.
