The alarming spread of drug abuse across Liberia, particularly among its youth, has prompted immediate calls for action from lawmakers. During the 17th Day sitting of the House of Representatives on Thursday, March 19, 2025, the Plenary agreed to review a petition submitted by Restoring Hope Foundation International.
The petition urges the Government to ban the importation, sale, and consumption of shisha and kush, two drugs increasingly linked to severe public health concerns. The petition comes at a time when the country is struggling with a growing drug crisis that is claiming the lives and futures of young Liberians.
Shisha, often perceived as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes, is one of the main substances contributing to the country’s escalating health crisis. Restoring Hope Foundation’s petition outlines the severe risks associated with hookah smoking, such as lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and other respiratory problems. Despite these dangers, shisha remains popular among young people in cities, who are drawn to its social acceptance and the misconception that it is safer than cigarettes. The petition also raised the issue of kush, a dangerous drug gaining traction across the region, which poses an even more immediate public health threat due to its potent psychoactive effects.
The House of Representatives has now mandated its Youth and Sports and Health Committees to review the petition and provide recommendations. Lawmakers have recognized the growing threat these substances pose, but their ability to enact meaningful change remains uncertain, given the scale of the problem. The review is expected to result in policy recommendations aimed at curbing the spread of shisha and kush, but it is clear that much more urgent action is needed to confront Liberia’s worsening drug epidemic.
This crisis is further stressed by the recent seizure of illegal drugs by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), which uncovered a major drug trafficking operation in Foya District on March 18, 2025. In a coordinated effort with joint security forces, the LDEA intercepted a truck carrying a massive haul of illicit drugs, including 772 plates of high-grade marijuana valued at $77,200 and eight boxes of Tramadol worth $842. This operation is one of the largest drug seizures reported in Lofa County this year, highlighting the growing scale of drug trafficking operations throughout Liberia.
The driver of the truck, Fayiah Lamie, was arrested and claimed he was transporting only clothing and slippers for sale. However, after an inspection, the authorities discovered the large quantity of drugs hidden in the vehicle. Lamie is now under investigation, and authorities are moving forward with formal charges related to the trafficking of illegal substances.
While the LDEA has been commended for its success in intercepting the shipment, concerns over the agency’s ability to effectively combat the drug trade persist. Lofa County LDEA Commander Kpehe Lomax lamented the lack of resources, especially transportation, which severely hampers the agency’s efforts. The increasing sophistication of drug traffickers and the limited capacity of Liberia’s law enforcement agencies point to a troubling trend, one that leaves young Liberians particularly vulnerable to the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.
