The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is pushing for religious bodies to make drug test as one of the criteria for intending couples before marriage.

Its chairman, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), on Thursday in Jos, met with the Plateau Chapters of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Ja’amatu Nasril Islam (JNI) to collaborate on ways to curb the surge of drug abuse in Nigeria.

Marwa, who met separately with the leadership of the two religious bodies, urged CAN and JNI to ensure drug tests are conducted for intending couples as a criteria before marriage.

According to him, the two religious bodies have key roles to play in ending the rising spate of drug peddling and consumption in the country.

He maintained that conducting drug test for intending couples will be a key strategy towards curbing the consumption of illicit substances among young people.

“The rise in drug abuse particularly among young Nigerians is alarming.

“Both Muslims and Christians take illicit substances; there is no religion or community that is exempted.

“This is why we have decided to pay you this advocacy visit to seek your support and cooperation in dealing with this menace

“But most importantly, we want to appeal that just like HIV, Hepatitis and other tests are compulsory for intending couples, we want you to include drug test as part of conditions before marriage.

“We strongly believe that such move will go a long way to curtail the way young people abuse drugs in the society,” he said.

Marwa further urged the religious leaders to include drug teachings in their sermons, Sunday school manuals and catechism.

He also urged parents to educate their wards on the dangers of drug abuse.

The chairman assured that the agency was doing all within its powers to curb influx of illicit substances into the country.

In his response, Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo, Chairman of CAN in Plateau, commended the NDLEA chairman for waging a serious war against drug peddling and consumption in the country, and promised to support him to succeed.

“I am happy with the suggestion for drugs test for intending couples; it is a welcome idea.

“That will reduce the domestics violence that we face in our homes today and as a church, we will look into it with serious urgency.

“I want to assure you that Christians in Plateau will support you to succeed,” he said.

Lubo, however, called on the government to address poverty, hunger and unemployment, insisting that such move would naturally reduce drug abuse in the society.

Alhaji Auwalu Nura, who spoke on behalf of JNI, also promised to support the NDLEA succeed in its war against drug abuse in the society.