Monrovia, Liberia ~ In an emotional and powerful show of unity, thousands of anti-drug protesters — mostly women — took to the streets of Monrovia on Thursday, demanding urgent government action to combat the rising scourge of drug abuse in Liberia.
Titled “Say No To Drug,” the protest brought together grieving mothers and community members from across the country, many of whom have lost children and relatives to drug addiction. Clad in black, they marched to the House of Parliament to hold the government on its promise of ending the drug crisis.
“This is a cry from every county,” said one protester. “We believed in the president’s promises during the campaign, but we need action now.”
The demonstration served as a stark reminder to President Boakai, who had declared drugs a “national emergency,” that Liberians ~ especially mothers ~ are still waiting for real reform.
Officials and Institutions Joined the Call:
Several Liberian lawmakers and civil society institutions have thrown their weight behind the protest movement. Representative Luther Collins of Gbarpolu County District #2 praised the demonstration and called for broader national engagement.
“This protest should not be limited to Monrovia,” Collins stated. “Young people across all 15 counties need to rise up ~ not only against drugs, but also against corruption. That’s how we’ll build a better Liberia.”
Meanwhile, Human Aid International, a leading advocacy group based in Margibi County, held a separate awareness event in Boys’ Town as part of efforts to decentralize the anti-drug campaign.
Speaking to Verity News, the organization’s CEO, Ambassador Emmanuel Hilter, emphasized the need to target drug suppliers rather than just consumers.
“Consumers are often victims, not criminals,” Hilter said. “To truly fight this menace, we must focus on arresting and prosecuting the dealers ~ the providers of these harmful substances.”
International Support:
The protest also drew attention from international allies. The U.S. Embassy near Monrovia released a statement supporting the demonstration, commending civil society groups for their activism.
“The U.S. Embassy commends civil society groups and community organizations for raising their voices to draw attention to this critical issue,” the statement read. “We stand in solidarity with all Liberians working to safeguard the country’s youth, communities, and future generations.”
National Crisis, National Response
Liberia’s drug crisis has reached alarming levels in recent years, with a growing number of young people falling prey to addiction ~ a trend that threatens the social fabric of a country still recovering from civil war and economic instability.
Protesters have called for stronger support to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), increased border security, and harsher penalties for traffickers.
A 15-Count Petition To The Government:
The peaceful protesters hand delivered to the government a fifteen-count petition in order to eradicate the proliferation of drugs in the country.
a. Issue an Executive Order to declare illicit drugs a national pandemic like Ebola & COVID,
and implement the following actions to give substance to the Order;
b. Declare August 7 annually as Liberia’s National Anti-Drug Day;
c. Make drug rehabilitation at Government facilities free of charge;
d. Issue an Executive Order to remove tariffs on the importation of drug treatment supplies.;
e. Mandate the Ministry of Education to integrate mandatory education programs on illicit drugs in the curriculum for schools – how it starts, the negative impacts, and how to avoid it; from primary to tertiary levels;
f. Mandate the Ministry of Health to regulate the establishment and operations of Rehabilitation Centers, ensuring that centers are operating in line with international best practices;
g. Mandate the City Corporations to address the issue of “unfinished buildings” in communities that are prone to being use as drug dens by drug dealers;
h. Mandate the Ministry of Youth & Sports to provide opportunities for employment and vocational training opportunities for survivors;
i. Mandate the LNP to enforce the ban on alcohol, cigarettes and smokes to children under 18 at all entertainment centers;
j. Mandate the LDEA working with Immigration at the airport to implement immigration screening processes of all government officials and VIP luggage entering and leaving the country, with few exceptions and
k. Institute a mandatory drug testing in schools and prior to employment among others.
In response, President Boakai reiterated his administration’s commitment to confronting the crisis head-on.
“This is a fight we must face together,” he said. “We cannot allow drugs to steal the future of our nation. The voices of our people are loud and clear, and we will respond.”
As Black Thursday fades, the question remains: Will this groundswell of public pressure finally lead to the decisive action Liberia so desperately needs?
