The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, says pre-marital drug test is a key factor to having a stable home.
Marwa said this in Abuja on Saturday at a pre-marital conference organised for young adults by a non-government organisation, Coal to Diamond Support Network.
Represented by a Principal Staff Officer in the antidrug agency, Shehu Dankolo, Marwa said substance use, not only destroys marriages, but equally leads to health problems, morbidity, injuries, violence and death.
“The mental, physical and spiritual quality of life of individuals has definite impact on a society’s future,” Marwa said.
“If would-be couples choose to undergo HIV and genotype tests before marriage without any law compelling them to do so, they should equally consider drug test as critical to their wellbeing and the stability of their homes, ” he said.
The Chief Host of the event, Hajiya Munirat Marwa, emphasised the need for drug test before marriage, warning that drugs were destroying many marriages, families and communities.
“It is, therefore, important we pay attention to preparing for the marriage and one of such ways is through pre-marital counselling and drug test,” she said.
“This prepares the couple very well and has the ability to reduce domestic violence, divorce , as well as increase happiness and longevity in marriages.”
The Keynote Speaker, Alhaji Sa’id Takuma, also emphasised the need for the proper counselling of intending couples, adding that such counselling would safeguard their marriages and future.
