By Sampat J.M.B. Kpakimah
The head of a local drug rehabilitation center has appealed for stronger government support, warning that the country’s fight against substance abuse cannot succeed without adequately funding rehabilitation programs.
Speaking in an interview on Friday, July 10, 2026 the rehabilitation center operator said the facility continues to receive new admissions while struggling to meet the growing demand for food, medication, and other essential services.
According to him, the rehabilitation process is ongoing, with many recovering drug users showing gradual improvement through counseling, daily prayers, medical treatment, and other rehabilitation activities.
“We are doing everything we can. Every morning there is devotion, people come to pray with the residents, and we spend a lot on medicines because rehabilitation is a gradual process,” he said.
He disclosed that six new individuals had recently been admitted to the center, including a woman who had reportedly been living in a cemetery before being brought in by relatives for treatment.
The rehabilitation operator said healthcare professionals regularly visit the center to provide medical services, noting that the institution pays for those services despite limited financial resources.
“Our medical personnel come every day, and we pay them for the work they do because the health of these young people is important,” he explained.
Commenting on the government’s ongoing crackdown on drugs, he acknowledged efforts by President Joseph Boakai’s administration but stressed that law enforcement alone will not solve the country’s drug crisis.
“The government is trying, but more needs to be done. Drug rehabilitation requires a comprehensive approach, and rehabilitation centers must be empowered to continue saving lives,” he said.
He also urged the public to allow security agencies to complete investigations before demanding the publication of names of individuals allegedly linked to drug trafficking.
“We should be patient. Investigations must be concluded before names are released. Publishing names without sufficient evidence could unfairly damage innocent people,” he cautioned.
Describing Liberia’s drug situation as alarming, he said many young people are dying or suffering serious health complications because of dangerous narcotics circulating in communities.
He called for tougher action against drug dealers, particularly those operating in communities and around cemeteries where many vulnerable young people reportedly gather to abuse drugs.
The rehabilitation center operator further revealed that the institution faces severe financial challenges, estimating that it needs about US$4,000 annually and approximately 200 bags of rice to adequately feed and care for residents.
He disclosed that a funding request was submitted to President Boakai, who reportedly endorsed the document and forwarded it to the appropriate government authorities for action.
“We are calling on the government to support rehabilitation centers. Building more rehabilitation facilities and strengthening existing ones will go a long way in addressing Liberia’s drug problem,” he said.
He emphasized that while arrests are important, rehabilitation remains a critical component of the national response to substance abuse, as many young Liberians need treatment and reintegration rather than being left to addiction.
