National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Secondary Schools

Guidelines provide directives for secondary schools to prevent and address drug use among students. They target students, teachers, parents, and education authorities. This aims to foster drug-free environments and equip youth with resistance skills.

National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Secondary Schools Policy Overview

What Is This Policy?

A policy framework providing actionable directives for secondary schools to prevent, detect, and respond to drug and substance use among adolescent students, aligned with child protection and public health principles.

Who Does It Target?

Students in public and private secondary schools (JSS–SSS) School principals, teachers, guidance counsellors, and parents State Ministries of Education and NDLEA state commands Civil society organisations working with youth

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Establish drug-free secondary school environments across Nigeria Equip adolescents with life skills to resist peer pressure and substance use Enable early identification and referral of at-risk students Integrate drug education into the formal school curriculum (CIVIC, Health Education)

Key Features

Current Status

Funding: Federal and state education budgets, NDLEA, UNICEF, and other development partners

How to Access

Students or parents can approach school guidance counsellors; NDLEA state offices also offer community outreach. Requirements: Enrolled secondary school student Parental consent required for under-18 formal intervention No stigmatisation policy for voluntary disclosure Application method: Contact school Guidance Counsellor or submit anonymous report via NDLEA hotline: 0800-NDLEA-NG

Important Terms

All interventions for minors require adherence to Child Rights Act protections Schools must maintain confidentiality of affected students Expulsion is a last resort; rehabilitation is prioritised

Impact & Metrics

Studies indicate average drug initiation age in Nigeria is 15 years; early school intervention is proven to delay or prevent onset.

Official Resources

Website: www.ndlea.gov.ng Contact: NDLEA — 0800-NDLEA-NG | Ministry of Education — [email protected] Federal Republic of Nigeria — Policy Summary Document | March 2026

Legal Framework

The National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Secondary Schools operate under the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act 2004 (as amended), the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act 2004, and the Child Rights Act 2003. They align with the National Drug Control Master Plan, the Drug Demand Reduction Strategy, and Nigeria's obligations under the UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Vienna Convention) and the UN Political Declaration on Drugs.