By: Jessica Cox and Kebeh Sammie
Monrovia, August 5, 2025 — As West Africa grapples with a surge in substance abuse threatening an entire generation, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched a comprehensive awareness campaign culminating in the August 7 “Say No to Drugs” March.
The regional initiative began in Liberia, where a high-level ECOWAS delegation led by Orlando Pereira Dias of Cape Verde, alongside Liberian Senator Edwin Snowe and others, conducted field visits to Center Street in Monrovia. The delegation engaged directly with disadvantaged youth affected by drug addiction, joined by Monrovia Mayor John Siafa, who encouraged young Liberians to seek available support services and maintain hope in their recovery efforts.
Community Voices Reveal Complex Perspectives
The delegation’s visit ignited passionate community debate, revealing diverse viewpoints on Liberia’s approach to the drug crisis.
Patrick Emerson challenged the march’s messaging, arguing that framing addiction as a matter of personal choice oversimplifies a multifaceted crisis:
“Drug abuse stems from poverty, mental illness, and drug availability. The phrase ‘Say No to Drugs’ is insulting—it shifts blame from systemic failures to personal weakness.”
James Woiwor called for strengthening the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), pointing to critical resource gaps:
“Most county LDEA detachments lack basic transportation. How can they effectively patrol without proper tools? Improve their budget and resources—they’ll deliver results.”
Jazzi Jazz expressed frustration with the focus on users rather than suppliers:
“Engaging users is important, but what concrete steps are being taken against traffickers and smugglers? That’s where meaningful change starts.”
Joshua Joaffah emphasized the need to secure Liberia’s borders to prevent the influx of illicit substances.
Regional Strategy Takes Shape
ECOWAS representatives used the visit to outline their expanded regional approach, emphasizing cross-border cooperation, investment in treatment infrastructure, and comprehensive mental health support.
The week-long mission signals ECOWAS’s strategic shift from symbolic gestures toward practical interventions. The August 7 march will serve as both a public demonstration of commitment and a measure of sustained political will across the region.
As West Africa confronts this crisis, the success of such initiatives will depend on translating community dialogue into concrete policy action and sustained investment in both prevention and treatment programs.
Meanwhile, the Government of Liberia has thrown its full support behind the upcoming anti-drug awareness march scheduled for August 7, reaffirming its commitment to eradicating the growing drug menace across the country.
Liberia is grappling with a worsening drug crisis that particularly affects its youth population. Recent studies show that 20% of Liberian young people – meaning 2 out of every 10 youth – are currently using narcotic substances, painting a troubling picture of substance abuse among the nation’s next generation.
Speaking during the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism’s regular press briefing on Tuesday, Deputy Minister for Public Affairs, Daniel Sando, said the planned march is a national call to action—an opportunity for all Liberians to unite in the fight against drug abuse.
Deputy Minister Sando emphasized that while the government remains steadfast in enforcing drug-related laws, lasting progress requires active public participation. He encouraged citizens to stand in solidarity by exposing those responsible for trafficking and distributing narcotics in communities.
“This march is not an indication of failure on the part of the government,” Sando clarified. “Rather, it’s a clear demonstration of our collective will to confront this crisis head-on. Communities must be empowered to name and shame those behind the illegal drug trade and help rescue the many young lives being destroyed.”
Highlighting the administration’s strong stance, he recalled that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai declared drug abuse a national health emergency an action that has led to the prosecution of one of Liberia’s most notorious drug traffickers.
Sando further noted that Liberia, like many other nations, is witnessing a disturbing rise in drug use among its youth. He stressed the urgency of citizen engagement, saying that meaningful change begins at the grassroots level with proactive community involvement.
The government, he said, remains committed to supporting public awareness initiatives and enforcing stringent measures against those who endanger the nation through the illegal drug trade.
The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) revealed in June 2025, that between 2024 and 2025, authorities confiscated a massive 9,651.23 kilograms of illegal drugs worth over $4.9 million (949 million Liberian dollars) nationwide. The synthetic drug Kush accounted for the largest portion of seizures – 5,494.50 kilograms valued at $2.3 million (405.5 million LRD).
Other significant drug seizures included 4,040.02 kilograms of marijuana worth $369,098 (70.1 million LRD), along with dangerous hard drugs: 32.69 kilograms of cocaine ($1.76 million/335.4 million LRD), 11.95 kilograms of heroin ($537,556/70.1 million LRD), and 68.73 kilograms of tramadol ($144,413/27.4 million LRD). Additionally, law enforcement intercepted 3.4354 kilograms of precursor chemicals used in drug manufacturing, valued at $8,109 (1.5 million LRD).
The government previously attempted to address the crisis through a June 2022 national rehabilitation program for at-risk youth, implemented with United Nations support, but the initiative failed to achieve its intended impact. Recognizing the escalating emergency, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai declared drug abuse a national health crisis upon taking office. Despite this declaration, addiction rates continue rising alarmingly across Liberia, with no signs of the troubling trend slowing down.
