Monrovia, Liberia – In defiance of the downpour of rain, Liberians and international nationals throughout the borders of Liberia took to the streets on Thursday, August 7, 2025 in demand of the federal government’s motion in direction of ending the trafficking and abuse of medicine and unlawful substances.
Dubbed “Say No To Medication,” the Marketing campaign, which builds on the premise of non-political and non-religious, introduced collectively hundreds of like-minded campaigners from civil society organizations and authorities functionaries amongst others in a single accord. With one voice, they gathered at totally different factors throughout Monrovia and converged on the Capitol Constructing – seat of the Liberian Legislature, the place an official assertion of what stood out to be a determined cry to rescue Liberia’s youth from the jaws of dependancy and destruction was offered.
Of their petition, the “Say No To Medication’ Campaigners known as on authorities and state actors for rapid motion to fight the proliferation of illicit drug abuse and trafficking throughout the nation on grounds that the way forward for Liberia hangs within the stability as communities throughout the nation are being ravaged by drug dependancy, particularly among the many youth.
“Our beloved Liberia is bleeding from inside. Communities live in worry, despair, and hopelessness. Each day, we witness the heartbreaking sights of our household and pals mendacity on road corners just like the residing lifeless,” learn the petition assertion.
A Nation Underneath Siege by Medication
Disturbingly, the campaigners identified that Liberia is experiencing an alarming surge within the availability and consumption of illicit substances equivalent to marijuana, heroin, kush, cocaine, amphetamines, and tramadol, with many offered for as little as L$150, inflicting widespread disorientation, organ injury, psychosis, and demise.
A 2023 report by the International Motion for Sustainable Improvement (GASD) highlighted that Monrovia alone hosts over 866 ghettos and a house to greater than 100,000 persistent drug customers. These drug dens have turn out to be breeding grounds for crime, poverty, and hopelessness, whereas the traffickers and sellers revenue with impunity, shielded by weak legal guidelines, lenient sentencing, and corruption throughout the system.
The petition paints a grim portrait of a society getting ready to collapse, urging authorities officers to behave decisively to keep away from the entire lack of a technology.
“Younger individuals with vivid futures – medical doctors, academics, engineers, and leaders – are being swallowed alive by the scourge of medicine. Throughout the nation, the identical story echoes – marijuana, heroin, kush, cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants (together with tramadol) and intravenous medication have invaded our land, destroying households and tearing aside the social material of our nation,” asserted the petition.
Daring Legislative Calls for
Of their wide-ranging attraction to each the Legislative and Govt branches, the petitioners outlined over 30 pressing motion factors, starting from authorized reform to public well being and training initiatives.
Among the many key legislative calls for are: amending the present drug regulation to impose minimal 20 years to life sentences for first-degree drug-related felonies, obligatory rehabilitation for drug customers—each on bail and after conviction, confiscation and sale of drug-related property, with proceeds directed to psychological well being and rehabilitation applications, heavy penalties for drug transporters, together with airways and transport corporations, with escalating fines and eventual bans for repeat offenses, customs reform to scale back tariffs on drug remedy provides and the creation of a specialised drug courtroom and the institution of a nationwide drug prevention and rehabilitation company.
The petitioners additionally known as on lawmakers to scale back their salaries and advantages and redirect the financial savings to at-risk youth and rehabilitation applications.
Govt Orders Urged
Notably the President of Liberia, the petition calls for an Govt Order declaring medication a nationwide pandemic, equally in the course of the darks days of Ebola or COVID-19.
Particularly, the outlined a number of suggestions that embody: the institution of August 7 as Nationwide Anti-Drug Day, forming a Presidential Anti-Drug Activity Pressure involving the AFL, LNP, LNBA, spiritual teams, and civil society, free rehabilitation companies at authorities amenities, elevated budgetary allocations for at-risk youth and border management companies, creation of an Anti-Drug Fund financed by means of taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and playing.
Moreover, in addition they craved the necessity for obligatory drug training in colleges, introduction of nationwide drug testing in colleges and earlier than employment, regulation of unfinished buildings, usually used as drug dens, enforcement of age limits on alcohol and cigarette gross sales, obligatory drug screening of VIP baggage at entry factors, together with these of presidency officers.
A Cry for Justice, Not Vengeance
The petitioners additionally careworn the necessity for cover, not punishment—justice, not vengeance.
“You have to act, for should you fail to take action, Liberia will lose its subsequent technology. Our colleges will probably be empty, crime charges will repeatedly improve, and our nation will sink deeper into poverty and despair. However should you act now, you may be remembered because the leaders who stood as much as save Liberia’s future. God is watching. The youngsters of Liberia are watching,” added the petition.
Present Nationwide Effort
Accordingly, following receipt of the Progress Report of the Multisectoral Steering Committee on Medication and Substance Abuse, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 introduced an aggressive, multi-prong Nationwide Anti-Drug Motion Plan in response to the alarming surge of drug abuse and trafficking throughout the nation.
In keeping with an Govt Mansion launch, the Liberian chief described the proliferation of medicine as “an assault on our future” and reaffirmed his unwavering dedication to safeguard Liberia’s youth, communities, and future generations from the scourge of substance abuse.
“We can’t permit the unfold of illicit medication to show our youngsters into victims, our communities into ghettos, and our neighborhoods into shelters for prison components,” the President declared.
He counseled the Liberia Drug Enforcement Company (LDEA) for its relentless efforts and prolonged particular recognition to the Multisectoral Steering Committee on Medication and Substance Abuse for its coordinated work, highlighting the current progress report submitted to his Workplace.
He on the similar time lauded civil society teams and neighborhood organizations for elevating their voices to extend consciousness, draw consideration to, and for taking a stand on this significant nationwide matter. He urged Liberians to forge a concerted effort in strategizing concrete actionable steps in complementing Authorities efforts.
