This moment calls for decisive national action, not ceremonial gestures. The prevalence of illicit drugs has reached crisis levels in Liberia
CAADA Press Statement
Community Action Against Drug Abuse (CAADA) Public Statement in Support of the August
7 National Anti-Illicit Drugs Campaign in Liberia FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monrovia, Liberia, July 21, 2025–As Liberia prepares to observe the August 7 National Anti-Illicit Drugs Campaign, the Community Action Against Drug Abuse (CAADA) stands in full solidarity with citizens, families, survivors, and advocates confronting the devastating impact of narcotics and substance abuse in our society.
This moment calls for decisive national action, not ceremonial gestures. The prevalence of illicit drugs has reached crisis levels in Liberia, threatening the future of an entire generation and weakening the social and moral fabric of our nation.
The current use of drugs in Liberia is a national emergency. Recent statistics highlight the severity of the crisis:
- 2 in every 10 Liberian youth are engaged in substance use, according to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA).
- 17% of students aged 12–17 report having used drugs such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and kush (Insights Liberia, 2023).
- An estimated 100,000 individuals are struggling with substance use in Montserrado County alone (WFAD Drug Situation Report, 2023). We condemn in the strongest terms those involved in trafficking, supplying, and protecting the flow of these dangerous substances.
We also express grave concern over the ineffectiveness, corruption, and negligence of security institutions, whose failure to act decisively has allowed this epidemic to spiral out of control.
We demand immediate and coordinated action to dismantle drug trafficking networks, secure Liberia’s borders, and remove narcotics from our streets; enforce existing laws without fear or favor, whether the perpetrators are in low-income communities or high office; prioritize rehabilitation, mental health support, and drug education for youth and their families.
A mother’s cry echoes nationwide, and this cannot be ignored. We amplify the voice of Amah Giddings, a grieving mother whose child has fallen victim to drugs. Her pain is shared by thousands of mothers across Liberia who watch their children deteriorate in silence and despair. Their voices must no longer be ignored. Their tears must lead to action and accountability.
We also empathize with the families and women of Liberia – we know how painful it is to see drugs feed on your children and snatch away a future so bright, beautiful, and promising.
Our mission at CAADA is to mobilize and empower communities to prevent and reduce substance abuse, and to work collaboratively toward a Liberia free from the grip of drugs. We envisage a safe, drug-free Liberia where youth are protected, families are supported, and communities are resilient.
We call on all stakeholders, the Government of Liberia to treat drug trafficking as a national emergency, strengthen drug laws, enforce them, and provide adequate resources. We call on the Judiciary to ensure swift, impartial prosecution of traffickers and their accomplices. We call on the National Legislature to make appropriate allocations towards national institutions responsible for reviewing and revising outdated laws and ensuring effective oversight.
To Civil Society and the Media: Raise awareness and expose complicity in drug networks.
To International Partners: Support Liberia with technical assistance, equipment, and funding to strengthen our national anti-drug efforts.
The time is now to act. August 7, 2025, anti-drug campaign is more than a date. it must mark the beginning of a unified national movement to defeat the drug crisis in Liberia.
CAADA remains unwavering in its commitment to this fight. We stand with every mother, every youth, and every community demanding change.
The time for action and accountability is now!
Signed:
Josephine Goe
Program Coordinator
CAADA
Contact: 0775567835