ON THURSDAY, THOUSANDS of Liberians—predominantly girls and youth—braved the rain and took to the streets of Monrovia in a strong present of collective anger and desperation. Their vacation spot was Capitol Hill, the seat of the nationwide authorities, the place they delivered a petition demanding pressing motion towards the drug disaster devastating the nation.
THE PROTEST, ORGANIZED by Involved Liberians In opposition to Drug Abuse, introduced collectively residents from all walks of life, united in a name for more durable legal guidelines, harsher penalties, and—most significantly—the political will to dismantle the drug networks wreaking havoc on communities throughout Liberia.
IN THEIR PETITION, campaigners accused the federal government of enabling impunity for traffickers and sellers. “Whereas the victims of drug dependancy waste away, the actual enemies—drug traffickers and sellers—stroll free, shielded by weak legal guidelines, straightforward bail circumstances, lenient sentences, and accomplices in positions of authority,” the petition learn. “They revenue from the destruction of our kids, the tears of moms and dads, and the collapse of our communities. This can’t proceed! We refuse to idly watch a whole era perish!”
THE CAMPAIGNERS DESCRIBED Liberia as a nation “bleeding” from the inflow of illicit medication—not simply in Monrovia, however in cities and villages nationwide. “Our beloved Liberia is bleeding; communities reside in concern, despair and hopelessness. Day by day we witness the heartbreaking scars of our households and pals mendacity on the road corners like they’re the dwelling lifeless.”
THEY EMPHASIZED THAT many victims are younger folks with brilliant futures—potential docs, academics, and nationwide leaders now decreased to life on the margins on account of dependancy.
IN A RARE MOMENT of accountability, lawmakers who obtained the petition acknowledged the federal government’s failure to stem the tide of drug trafficking and abuse.
GBARPOLU COUNTY SENATOR Botoe Kanneh supplied a heartfelt apology on behalf of the federal government: “We wish to ask for forgiveness to you folks as a result of we’ve got failed you—the federal government has failed you, the companions have failed,” she mentioned. “We’re going to begin a brand new starting… every little thing that ought to be finished might be finished, by the grace of God.”
REPRESENTATIVE PRINCE TOLES (District #8, Montserrado County), Chair of the Home Committee on Claims and Petitions, referred to as the campaigners’ submission “a very powerful petition” he had obtained in his function. “We too are mother and father… and we’re seeing the influence of medicine in our nation. If I had my very own method, I’d say we should always have capital punishment for individuals who import medication into our nation.”
REPRESENTATIVE ELLEN ATTOH, Chair of the Ladies’s Legislative Caucus, praised the campaigners and vowed to work together with her colleagues to make sure the drug legal guidelines are totally applied.
EVEN THE SECOND Woman of Liberia, Synleseh Stephenie Dahn-Koung, admitted it was time to maneuver “from speak to motion.”
AT FRONTPAGE AFRICA, we agree.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS not finished sufficient to fight the drug disaster. It’s time to cease the speeches and begin delivering outcomes.
LIBERIA ALREADY HAS a robust authorized framework—the present drug regulation classifies drug-related offenses as non-bailable and seeks to regulate the importation, trafficking, and abuse of narcotics. What’s urgently missing is the political will to implement the regulation. This should change.
WE CALL ON the Legislature to transcend apologies. As authors of the regulation, lawmakers should allocate sufficient assets for its implementation, train sturdy oversight, and maintain the Government Department accountable.
THE JUDICIARY MUST additionally rise to the event—meting out justice swiftly, pretty, and with out concern or favor.
AND THE COMMUNITY should not stay passive. Combating the drug menace requires collective possession—from mother and father and academics to spiritual leaders, youth teams, and civil society organizations.
THE TIME FOR guarantees is over.
If officers are severe about preventing medication in Liberia, their actions should now converse louder than their phrases.
