According to the Acting Director General of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Anthony Suoh, the fight against illicit drugs and psychotropic substances is a global effort that requires all hands on deck.
While turning over the authority for him to steer the affairs of the Agency, the LDEA Acting Boss pointed to the President’s statement, declaring drugs abuse and illicit trafficking a “National Emergency.”
It can be recalled President Boakai upon declaring drugs a national emergency, set up a National Drug Committee to address the emergency.
According to him, This was indicative and reflective by the representation of the national committee recently set up which includes Ministry of Health, Chair, Ministry of Justice CO-Chair, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, Member; Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection; Member, Ministry of Youth and Sports: Member, Ministry of Education; Member, and above all the United Nations whose three conventions against illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances form the basis of our national drugs laws.
The components of this presidential committee are a clear reflection of the team that is expected to handle this national emergency.
The LDEA Boss calls on his colleagues, government, National and international partners to join and form a part of a stronger force to combat drugs.
“I am therefore calling on all of us to join hands to address this emergency. While we do not pretend to know it all, we are prepared and willing to take this task heads on as Acting Director General of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency. We also call on the members of the Joint Security to join hands with us in this awesome task. We need each other now than ever before”, Anthony Suoh stated during the turning over ceremony.
He at the same time stated: “To my LDEA colleagues, I have come to join you in good faith while we carry on this national duty. The country looks up to us for results and we must deliver.
He disclosed plans for reform process which intended to improve our capability and our capacity to prepare us for this national and patriotic duty.
This will include vetting and audit of all past activities, the results from which will lead to a better future.
“To deliver, we must be prepared professionally and legally and it is only through capacity building and man power development we can accomplish this”.
“We also call on our International Partners to join hands with us in this all important task as drug abuse and illicit trafficking is a transnational organized crime that knows no border. We are all in this together.”
