As Liberia joins countries around the world to celebrate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking—the World Drug Day—the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency has emphasized the need to provide drug abuse awareness and education in institutions of learning and service centers as a way of bridging the perception gap, providing understanding to society, and educating citizens on the d dangers of drug abuse in society.
The disclosure was made in a special message by Marcus D. Zehyoue, Director General of the LDEA, published by the LDEA on Sunday, June 25, 2023 a day to today’s celebration that’s being held under the global theme, PEOPLE FIRST: STOP STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION, STRENGTHEN PREVENTION.
“In closing, we want to emphasize the need to provide drug abuse awareness and education in institutions of learning and service centers as a way of bridging the perception gap, providing understanding to society, and educating citizens on the d danger sof drug abuse in society”.
It continues, “We believe that your continuous support and partnership are significant to the forward progress of Liberia’s developmental drive and our quest for the fight against drug abuse in Liberia and the world at large. Finally, we want to call on our government to consider increasing the level of support given to the agency to enable preparedness ahead of emerging challenges”.
In observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking—the World Drug Day—as celebrated June 26 of every year, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency called on all Liberians, including their partners and foreign residents, to join them as they raise awareness and highlight the dangers of drug use and their illegal trade that have polarized the world.
The LDEA is acclaimed by all of its partners for their unflinching support and collaboration rendered to the institution over the years. “The United States Department through the INL, the UNODC, and all other partners, which we are unable to name because of space”.
“We believe that your continuous support and partnership are significant to the forward progress of Liberia’s developmental drive and our quest for the fight against drug abuse in Liberia and the world at large. Finally, we want to call on our government to consider increasing the level of support given to the agency to enable preparedness ahead of emerging challenges”.
The LDEA says it’s anticipating the Senate, in their wisdom, will conclusively concord with the House of Representatives to ensure the passage of the amended law before that body. “It is inarguable that the law, when passed, will address all of the attendant challenges. But in reality, it will decisively deal with the issues of the commission of the crime and other legal ramifications that border on our express will and decision to tackle drug abuse and trafficking in our country.”
“Let it be noted, however, that the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in our country can never be realized, especially in the absence of a practical and decisive legal system supported by a political will. The need for reform and restructuring of our laws and policy documents that support the fight against drug abuse, demand, and supply must be considered very important, especially when significant effort has been made to redefine our country’s position and willingness to address challenges and meet up with the emerging realities of drug trafficking and organized crime”.
The release continues, “As we continue to face the unending challenges, we must say emphatically that the fight against this menace is more of a collaborative and consolidated approach if we as people are to succeed in addressing drug use reduction and its attendant problems. In 2014, according to research from the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, “Liberia wasn’t a potential transit country for major drug trafficking activities, but given the structure of our country’s legal system, porous border controls, and proximity to major drug transit routes, it is vulnerable to becoming one.”
However, The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency acknowledged that the task has increased and has metamorphosed into stages that still rest on our shoulders as a people and country. Evident by the increasing demand for substance abuse, the latest 100 million drug burst in October of 2022 and the subsequent discovery of an additional 40 million worth of cocaine, the devastating report of the latest killer drug (Kush), and the increased wave of criminal harassment and security challenges, these are enough reasons to claim our attention as a people and to take steps as well in solving the problems.
“The need to reconsolidate and reintroduce a stronger measure to curb the menace is the first step forward in addressing the complexity of the problems emanating from drug trafficking. Addiction and abuse amongst young people, who are widely seen as the most victimized and the most vulnerable threats to society, must be addressed holistically if we as a country are to stand out and solve the problems.
Thankfully, it says, “the government, through the dynamic leadership of our President, His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, has launched a multi-million dollar fund drive geared towards addressing the demand for rehabilitation and reintegration of our disadvantage youths. The LDEA viewed the intervention as significant, timely, and supportive to the operational dividends of the institution, especially in dealing with persons with substance use disorders (SUD), which is a core function enshrined in the statutory responsibility of the LDEA”.
In the same manner, the LDEA, as the lead structure of government responsible for curbing the menace in our country, has taken steps to collaborate with stakeholder groups and partners to remedy the situation.
“We have increased our presence in most parts of the country and have deployed several mechanisms to ensure that perpetrators are arrested. We’re equally working with the Steering Committee on at-risk youth to ensure the government’s action to address the rehabilitation and reintegration of those affected by substance abuse is achieved. At the same time, we’re closely engaged with the Senate leadership to ensure the full passage of the drug law”.
They believe that national priorities are about a common goal to protect people’s security and well-being while striving for their prosperity and dignity. Therefore, “we want to use this medium to call on all Liberians and our partners alike to rethink the fight against drug abuse and join the LDEA to say “NO TO DRUG ABUSE” in Liberia”.
“As we welcome the global theme of this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which says, People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention, and underscoring the importance of a conclusive approach involving the need for sustainable health, fundamental human rights, criminal justice, the rule of law, and social service institutions, we want to call on the general public and our partners alike to join the LDEA, amplify our call, raise awareness against stigmatizing persons with substance use disorder (SUD), and promote a holistic approach to prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration of drug-affected youths”, it continues.
At the same time, the Agency disclosed that on Monday, June 26, they will destroy another huge quantity of confiscated drugs covering July 2022–2023. The cost of the entire drugs to be destroy is valued at LRD 1,205,53,920.00 (ONE BILLION TWO HUNDRED FIVE MILLION, FIFTY THREE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED and TWENTY Liberian Dollar) or (USD 6,886,022.40).
“Cocaine weighed 6,154.3 grams, heroin weighed 22,670.6 grams, Marijuana weighed 64,311 Kilograms, Kush weighed 2,841 grams, and Tramadol weighed 3,413.5 grams, respectively. However, we want to call on the media and the general public to take seriously the danger of drug abuse and join the LDEA and partners in spreading the message far and wide as we celebrate World Drug Day.
Meanwhile, the United States Embassy near Monrovia has guaranteed the U.S. government’s commitment to the fight against Drug Abuse and Illicit trafficking and works closely with the LDEA and other law enforcement agencies.
In a release dated Sunday, June 25, 2023, the government pledged to provide support for this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking commemoration and work jointly with the Government in a bid to reduce drug abuse and illicit trafficking and help those who suffer from addiction successfully pursue recovery.
“The United States is pleased to provide support for this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking commemoration. We will continue to work closely with the LDEA, other law enforcement agencies, and the Ministry of Justice. Together, we can reduce drug abuse and illicit trafficking and help those who suffer from addiction successfully pursue recovery”.
According to the release, the Embassy expressed hope that U.S. government funding of projects with the Carter Center, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the Colombo Plan will help LDEA move forward as a credible and effective organization.
With said support, the Embassy reiterated that these developments must be evidence-based, properly resourced, and free of the stigmatizing “treatments” that we now know often make recovery harder and deprive individuals of the community support they need to fight addiction.
Moreover, the U.S. Embassy encouraged the LDEA and Liberian security institutions to continue to work together to combat illicit drug trafficking and to strengthen their efforts to earn the confidence and trust of the Liberian public.
“To bolster the Government of Liberia’s efforts to improve drug demand reduction efforts as part of its narcotics response, the U.S. Embassy is training 105 trainers on the Universal Prevention and Universal Treatment Curriculum. We hope this evidence-based training improves Liberia’s response to substance use among its population”.
The Embassy believes the LDEA and its Liberian security partners are working to reduce the trafficking of narcotics in Liberia, especially considering the fact that they continue to seize and destroy illicit drugs that enter Liberia through its borders and international ports, reducing the negative impact of these drugs on the lives of Liberians.
As they are of the belief that the primary duty of every government is to protect its citizens from threats, which include drug abuse and illicit trafficking, it is also the responsibility of ordinary citizens to support efforts to educate Liberian youth about the dangers of drug abuse.
On June 26, communities all over the world, including in Liberia, mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also called World Drug Day. Created by the United Nations on December 7, 1987, this day provides an opportunity to increase awareness about the negative impact of illicit drugs, also called World Drug Day.
Created by the United Nations on December 7, 1987, this day provides an opportunity to increase awareness about the negative impact of illicit
Day, also called World Drug Day.
However, the U.S. government believes the theme of World Drug Day 2023 is “People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention.” The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency’s (LDEA) annual practice of holding a drug-burning exercise at Disco Hill, which also served as the cremation ground during the Ebola crisis, is a somber reminder that substance use disorders and drug trafficking do not disappear during crises and that communities in crisis—suffering from war, epidemics, or other disasters—struggle even more to recover when illicit drugs are present.
“In his State of the Union address in 2023, President Biden announced an increasing focus on disruption of illicit drug trafficking, expanding access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery, and ensuring every jail and prison across the U.S. can provide treatment for substance use disorders”.
The release continues, The U.S. Embassy in Monrovia salutes the focus on increasing prevention, treatment, and recovery services for those with substance use disorders. By recognizing that law enforcement actions are only part of any response, these efforts offer a glimmer of hope to those suffering from addiction and for their families and communities”.
