Monrovia – On the eve of a nationwide march in opposition to drug abuse and trafficking, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has introduced sweeping new measures to fight Liberia’s rising drug disaster, declaring the federal government’s response shall be “non-selective and relentless.”
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
In an Government Mansion launch on Wednesday, Presidential Press Secretary Atty. Kula Bonah Nyei Fofana outlined President Boakai’s newest directive, aimed toward strengthening the nation’s anti-drug infrastructure regardless of ongoing fiscal constraints.
“The President has ordered that funding be prioritized for a complete nationwide response,” Fofana stated. “This contains the introduction of an anti-drug curriculum in faculties, random drug testing, elevated operational and logistical help for the Liberia Drug Enforcement Company (LDEA), expanded rehabilitation companies, superior port and border surveillance applied sciences, and sustained public training and judicial help mechanisms.”
President Boakai was quoted as saying that “no standing, no title, no uniform, and no connection will shield anybody concerned in medication.”
The President’s assertion follows the receipt of the Progress Report of the Multisectoral Steering Committee on Medicine and Substance Abuse arrange by the President.
President Joseph Boakai’s newest assertion on Liberia’s drug disaster follows his receipt of a progress report from the Multisectoral Steering Committee on Medicine and Substance Abuse, which he established to guide the federal government’s response to the escalating disaster.
Like a lot of its neighbors within the sub-region, Liberia is grappling with a rising substance abuse epidemic. A 2023 research by the United Nations Inhabitants Fund discovered that one in 5 Liberian youth use narcotics — mostly a harmful artificial drug generally known as “kush,” a chemical cocktail typically containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Civil society teams reported that, as of 2023, greater than 866 drug dens have been working in Monrovia alone, with the issue increasing quickly into different components of the nation. The findings estimate that 20 % of Liberian youth are actually utilizing illicit medication, posing a extreme risk to the nation’s well being, security, and growth.
President Boakai, who made the struggle in opposition to illicit medication a central pillar of his 2023 marketing campaign, established the multisectoral committee with illustration from the Ministries of Well being, Justice, Youth and Sports activities, Gender, and Finance. The federal government has earmarked US$3.5 million throughout the 2024 and 2025 budgets for youth-focused rehabilitation and prevention applications, together with the flagship initiative “Kush Should Go.”
Nonetheless, an investigative report by New Narratives/FrontPage Africa revealed that frontline service suppliers have seen little of the promised funding. The report quoted Dr. Moses Ziah II, Director of Psychological Well being on the Ministry of Well being and Chair of the Technical Working Group on Drug Abuse, as saying solely 163 persons are at present receiving government-funded therapy — 37 as inpatients at a facility in Grand Bassa County, and 126 in outpatient care in Congo City.
In obvious response to those alarming revelations, President Boakai unveiled a strong Nationwide Anti-Drug Motion Plan, describing the drug disaster as “an assault on our future.” He reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering dedication to defending Liberia’s youth and communities from the scourge of substance abuse.
“We can’t permit the unfold of illicit medication to show our kids into victims, our communities into ghettos, and our neighborhoods into shelters for legal parts,” the President declared.
Boakai recommended the Liberia Drug Enforcement Company for its ongoing efforts and prolonged particular recognition to the Multisectoral Steering Committee for its coordination in creating a nationwide response. He additionally praised civil society teams and neighborhood organizations for amplifying consciousness and advocacy.
“I urge all Liberians to forge a concerted effort in strategizing concrete, actionable steps to enrich the federal government’s struggle,” he stated.
Highlights of the Nationwide Anti-Drug Motion Plan
To be carried out instantly in accordance with present legislation, the plan contains seizure of properties linked to drug actions, together with the prosecution of landlords and accomplices, performance mandates for LDEA regional commanders, with a six-month outcomes deadline, institution of a Nationwide Whistleblower Program with money rewards and safety for informants, fast-tracking of drug circumstances by means of the courts, with necessary sentencing and expansion of rehabilitation facilities and reintegration applications for recovering customers.
It additionally embody the funding in border surveillance, together with scanners, canine items, and different superior safety tools, introduction of anti-drug curriculum in faculties and random testing in high-risk areas, reinforcement of the Nationwide Drug Emergency, enabling raids and lockdowns the place needed, freezing of belongings belonging to suspected traffickers in collaboration with monetary establishments, and significant price range will increase for drug enforcement, prevention training, and authorized reforms
The plan, Boakai stated, is designed to focus on each stage of the drug chain — from traffickers and distributors to enablers and corrupt officers — and indicators a brand new period in Liberia’s struggle in opposition to medication.
“Collectively, we won’t simply struggle, we’ll win. Liberia won’t lose one other technology to medication — not on my watch,” he stated.
The President’s assertion comes on the eve of a mass rally in opposition to the proliferation of the drug in Liberia. Set for Thursday, August 7, the Nationwide Day of March In opposition to Drug Abuse and Trafficking is predicted to carry collectively 1000’s of Liberians from all walks of life. Organizers describe the march as a “nationwide cry for change, a name to motion, and an emblem of hope” within the face of what they name an existential risk to the nation’s youth, peace, and growth.
“We collect not simply to boost consciousness, however to reclaim our streets, restore our values, and rebuild the way forward for younger individuals who have fallen sufferer to substance abuse,” a press release from the organizers learn. “Drug abuse doesn’t solely have an effect on people — it impacts our financial system, training, well being, and peace.”
The group known as on the Authorities of Liberia to strengthen enforcement, rehabilitation, and public training efforts, neighborhood leaders to actively interact in preventive actions and early interventions.
It additionally urged mother and father and guardians to talk up, help their youngsters, and be told and the youth to stand up, keep clear, and lead by instance.
“Collectively, we will break the cycle. Collectively, we will construct a drug-free Liberia.Collectively, we’re The Hope Builders — igniting goal, selling self-discipline, and championing a brand new technology free from medication.”
Envoy Factors Finger, Urges Bilateral Motion
In the meantime, Liberia’s Ambassador to Nigeria and Everlasting Consultant to the ECOWAS Parliament, John Ballout, has stirred intense controversy following a direct and unapologetic accusation that Nigerians are accountable for almost all of unlawful medication getting into Liberia.
Ballout made the remarks at ECOWAS Parliament high-powered delegation gathering in Liberia which aimed to boost consciousness in regards to the rising disaster of drug abuse and psychological well being challenges amongst younger folks within the area.
“Just a few years in the past, Nigeria helped Liberia obtain peace by means of ceasefire and disarmament. We’ll all the time owe them that,” Ballout stated. “However at this time, now we have a handful of Nigerians who’re making an attempt to destroy the work Nigeria helped construct. A lot of the medication being introduced into Liberia—with out apologies, with out diplomacy—are introduced in by Nigerians.”
Ballout emphasised that his remarks weren’t a condemnation of the Nigerian authorities or its folks, however fairly a name for joint motion between the 2 international locations to cease the circulate of narcotics into Liberia.
“I’m going to Nigeria not solely to precise our gratitude however to reinforce cooperation on this shared risk,” he added.
Rising Nationwide Alarm
Liberians have develop into more and more alarmed by the seen rise in drug-related crimes, dependancy, and the proliferation of artificial medication like Kush and Tramadol, particularly among the many nation’s youth. Communities, faculties, and even native markets have reportedly develop into hubs for drug exercise, fueling requires stronger legislation enforcement, training, and rehabilitation efforts.
The August 7 march, backed by the Boakai administration, civil society, spiritual teams, and grassroots organizations, is seen as a significant turning level within the nation’s anti-drug marketing campaign. Members will march beneath the theme: “Say No to Medicine — Reclaim Liberia’s Future.”
Organizers say the march will start from two places — Invincible Park in Sinkor and the Freeport of Monrovia — with each teams converging at Capitol Hill, the seat of the Liberian authorities.
Because the nation prepares to take to the streets, one message echoes loud and clear from all corners of Liberian society: the time to behave is now.
