Monrovia, Liberia — In a decisive move to address the growing national drug crisis, the Multi-Sectoral Steering Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse has formed a partnership with local governments to establish the Community Anti-Drug Action Team (CADAT). This grassroots initiative is designed to actively involve communities in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking across Liberia.
The CADAT will consist of 15 dedicated members drawn from various sectors, ensuring a comprehensive approach to tackling the issue. The team will include two local government representatives, one women’s group representative, two youth representatives (one male and one female), two religious leaders, one community leader, one focal person from the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), one focal person from the Liberia National Police (LNP), one community chairman, and three members from civil society or advocacy groups, along with one health practitioner.
Each member will play a critical role in educating community members about the dangers of drug abuse, disseminating information about available drug abuse hotlines, and facilitating the reporting of drug-related incidents to law enforcement and health authorities. Furthermore, they will collaborate with enforcement agencies to aid in arrests, identify and refer drug users for treatment and rehabilitation, and report individuals suspected of harboring drug traffickers.
Looking ahead, CADAT is set to work closely with the Multi-Sectoral Committee to implement national initiatives at the grassroots level, aiming to empower citizens to create safer and healthier communities that are free from the pervasive impact of drugs.
The implementation steps for CADAT include establishing the team in collaboration with community leadership, liaising with the President’s established Steering Committee for support, and providing orientation and training for members. Additionally, the Steering Committee plans to identify landlords who may be harboring drug dealers, establish toll-free reporting numbers for drug-related activities, and offer logistical and technical support.
The Multi-Sectoral Steering Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse remains committed to its mission of combating drug-related issues and fostering community resilience against the ongoing national drug crisis.
