By Ellen A. Attoh- Wreh
Over the past decade, Liberia has witnessed a sharp increase in the use and abuse of narcotic substances among its youthful population. While the country continues to recover from years of civil conflict and economic instability, a new and alarming crisis is taking root in drug abuse. This crisis has penetrated every layer of Liberian society, but its most devastating effects are clearly seen in the nation’s youth. This article seeks to examine the root causes, current impact, and possible solutions to the widespread abuse of drugs among Liberian youth. According to a 2023 report from the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), over 60% of drug-related arrests involve individuals between the ages of 15 and 30. Common substances include marijuana, tramadol, kush (a dangerous synthetic drug), and cocaine. Experts attribute this spike to a mix of socioeconomic hardships, broken family systems, peer pressure, and a lack of effective youth-focused policies. With nearly 70% of the population under 35 years of age, the implications for national development are dire. This crisis consequences are visible in every urban center particularly in Monrovia where hundreds of young people, mostly males, are seen loitering in ghettos. A 2023 study by the United Nations Population Fund found that one in five Liberian youth use narcotics most often a synthetic mix of dangerous chemicals like fentanyl and methamphetamine called “kush and over 866 drug dens are operating in Monrovia alone. Estimates are that one in every five Liberian youth is now using drugs.
The Effect of drug Abuse on Liberian youth has several impacts,but the most immediate impact of drug abuse on Liberia’s youth is the deterioration of mental and physical health. According to the 2023 Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, over 35% of mental health cases in major urban clinics involved young people with a history of substance abuse. Tramadol, in particular, is associated with seizures and long-term neurological damage. Users of synthetic drugs like “kush” suffer from hallucinations, aggression, and even suicidal tendencies. The Liberian Psychiatric Association reports in 2023 that youth drug addiction is now the leading driver of psychiatric admissions at the E.S. Grant Mental Hospital in Monrovia. In the education sector, the consequences are equally severe. Data gathered by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with UNICEF in 2024 shows that drug abuse is responsible for over 20% of school dropouts in Montserrado and Grand Bassa counties. This trend contributes directly to the country’s already struggling education outcomes.
Nonetheless, some positive efforts are being made to tackle the situation. In 2023, the Liberian government passed the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which criminalizes the trafficking and unregulated sale of harmful substances, while also calling for a more health-centered approach to drug addiction. Additionally, when President Joseph Boakai entered office in January last year he declared the growing use of drugs was a national public health emergency and he created a multi-sectoral committee including the Ministries of Health, Justice, Youth and Sports, Gender, and Finance lead the national response with nearly $US3.5 million put aside in the 2024 and 2025 budgets for at-risk youth programs including “Kush Must Go”. Several NGOs, including Don Bosco Homes and the Youth Crime Watch of Liberia, are working with communities to raise awareness, conduct outreach programs, and support young people with counselling and life skills training. In recognition of growing public concern, the government also paid homage to theAugust 7th protest in 2025, reaffirming its commitment to fighting drug abuse through national awareness and support campaigns.
While some progress has been made, it’s clear that much more needs to be done, as the challenge of drug abuse among Liberian youth is multi-dimensional and requires a coordinated national response. Liberia must increase funding for drug rehabilitation and mental health care, given that the country currently has fewer than five fully functional rehabilitation centers, all of which are grossly underfunded and unable to meet the growing demand. The full implementation of the National Mental Health Policy of Liberia, launched in 2016, should also be prioritized, as budgetary constraints and a shortage of trained professionals continue to leave many youths untreated, thereby reinforcing a cycle of addiction and hopelessness. At the same time, efforts should be made to expand youth employment and vocational training programs, providing alternative pathways that reduce the lure of drugs. Anti-drug education should be integrated into school curricula nationwide, ensuring that prevention begins at an early age. Equally important is the strengthening of border security to reduce the inflow of illicit substances and the strict regulation of pharmacies to limit the accessibility of prescription drugs such as tramadol. Without urgent action on these fronts, Liberia risks losing a generation of its future leaders, workers, and citizens. A nation whose youth are incapacitated by drug addiction cannot achieve sustainable development or safeguard its democracy; therefore, the fight against drug abuse must be elevated to a national priority.
