Monrovia, Liberia – Hundreds of young people in Monrovia have gathered to declare their opposition to drug abuse, sharing powerful testimonies and condemning drug cartels. The event, which included a two-kilometre march with the slogan “No to drugs, yes to life,” took place on Wednesday as part of an anti-drug awareness campaign.
A parliamentary delegation met with the youth, who detailed the severe consequences of narcotics on their generation. These issues include a public health crisis with a rise in psychiatric disorders, the recruitment of vulnerable youth into criminal networks, and a surge in theft and violent crime to fund addiction.
In response, the youth appealed to the Liberian government to increase efforts in poverty alleviation, invest more in educational infrastructure, and create jobs. They also called for stronger prevention and rehabilitation programmes.
Liberia’s Minister of Youth and Sports acknowledged the drug crisis as a “national health emergency” and affirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the issue. The government has already launched public awareness campaigns, started rehabilitating social and vocational reintegration centres, and is constructing a new neuropsychiatric hospital. An inter-ministerial task force has also been established to combat drug abuse.
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