University of Lagos: UNILAG gets test kits to check drug abuse on Campus

Bello said the initiative became necessary as drug abuse is on the increase in tertiary institutions in the country.

The University of Lagos has made a move to control drug abuse as the institution provides a drug test kit in its medical centre.

Prof. Rahamon Bello, now ex-Vice Chancellor of the university informed the public about the initiative at a forum in Lagos on Friday, November 10.

Bello said the initiative became necessary as drug abuse is on the increase in tertiary institutions in the country.

“Drug abuse is a major problem for every institution, particularly, those in the cities. We have gone ahead in the University of Lagos to address it.

 

“With the test kit, anyone who is suspected, his or her urine or blood depending on what we want to do, is collected for the test.

“The thing about drug is that when you take it, it will be in your blood for a longtime, so you cannot say, I did not use it once the test kit detects it.

“Before we start using the test kit, everyone we picked denied using drug since we could not find any evidence, ”

ALSO READ: 5 reasons UNILAG students think they are the best

According to Bello, the University has been able to pin down some students using the test kits but granted them amnesty.

“With the rehabilitation, the victims are given two or three semesters to ‘get clean’. By this, we mean they will visit the medical centre on monthly basis to get tested.

“If after two or three visits, you are found clean, we will admit you back to the system, if not you are sent out.

“This we do not to unnecessarily punish them, but to assist them to find a way to regain themselves,” he said

Prof Rahamon Bello is the 11th Vice Chancellor of UNILAG. He was succeeded on Saturday, November 11 by Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe as the 12th Vice Chancellor of the Institution.

SOURCE - PULSE.NG posted by Campus94