Monrovia, August 21, 2025 – The King Gray community in Paynesville, one of the areas hardest hit by the surge of drug use in Liberia, witnessed a rare and emotional scene this morning as hundreds of disadvantaged youths many of them struggling with addiction took to the streets in protest against drug trafficking and abuse.
Chanting slogans and waving placards, the demonstrators called on the government to intensify efforts to combat the inflow of dangerous substances and to provide rehabilitation opportunities for young people trapped by addiction.
“We say no to illicit drugs. Government, please intervene. We need rehabilitation. Mothers and Fathers are crying. We need help. Nowhere to go…,” read several of the inscriptions on their placards.
The protest, according to community dwellers, reflects a growing frustration among young people who feel abandoned in the fight against narcotics. Many of the protesters openly admitted their struggles with substance abuse but insisted that the government, civil society, and religious leaders must join forces to rescue them before it is too late.
Drug abuse, particularly the spread of kush and other harmful substances, has become a national crisis in Liberia, leaving communities like King Gray deeply vulnerable. The demonstrators warned that without urgent intervention, the situation could escalate into an even greater social and security threat.
