As Liberia braces for a nationwide protest against the surge in drug abuse, a former senior official of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) is sounding the alarm, calling the situation a national emergency that demands immediate intervention.
Hassan Fadiga, former Deputy Director General for Operations at the LDEA, issued a strong appeal on Wednesday, warning that Liberia is facing a dangerous and escalating drug epidemic—one that threatens to undermine the country’s future if left unchecked.
“We can’t afford to be complacent. The statistics are alarming, but beyond that, the impact is deeply personal. Without urgent action, the consequences for our youth and society will be irreversible,” Fadiga declared.
His call comes as civil society groups and concerned citizens prepare to take to the streets in protest, demanding decisive government action and reforms to address the growing scourge of drug abuse.
A Deepening Crisis
Fadiga referenced troubling new data indicating that 1 in 5 young Liberians—about 20%—have used or are currently using illicit drugs. Based on the World Bank’s 2024 estimate of Liberia’s population at 5.5 million, this means roughly 1.1 million young people have been impacted.
The crisis is compounded by Liberia’s youthful demographics.
According to the UN Population Division (2022), 60% of the population is under 25, making the nation’s youth particularly vulnerable to drug exposure.
Looking ahead, population projections estimate Liberia will reach 6.97 million people by 2034.
If current patterns persist, an additional 279,000 youth could fall into drug dependency within the next decade.
“This is more than just data—it’s a national emergency,” Fadiga stressed. “Addiction doesn’t discriminate. It affects the wealthy, the poor, families in every community. This could be your child, your friend, your neighbor.”
A Call for Collective Action
Fadiga is urging Liberians from all sectors-government, civil society, religious leaders, families, and youth groups—to come together in tackling the crisis head-on.
He outlined several critical steps:
Launch nationwide awareness campaigns to educate the public on the dangers of drug use
Strengthen the enforcement of drug laws and better equip enforcement agencies,
Expand access to rehabilitation services and mental health support for those struggling with addiction,
Invest in youth development, including education, skills training, and employment opportunities,
He emphasized that government leadership is essential but insufficient on its own: “This isn’t just a government issue—it’s a national one. Every Liberian has a stake in fighting this battle. We must act together.”
With the upcoming protest set to amplify public concern, organizers say the demonstration will serve not just as a show of frustration but a unified demand for urgent change.
Fadiga ended with a sobering warning: “We’re at a critical crossroads. If we fail to confront this drug epidemic now, we risk losing an entire generation of Liberians.”
