The Grand Bassa County Representative believes that the widespread narcotic drug abuse among young Liberians is a war on [the] future of the country if not handled now.
By Emmanuel Wise Jipoh
Monrovia, November 5, 2024: The House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Drugs, Rep. Thomas Goshua, has warned that Liberia is on a “ticking time bomb” in light of widespread substance abuse among the youth.
According to Rep. Goshua, the youthful population of the nation is at risk if there is no vigilant approach to tackle the rapid spread of narcotic substances here.
“There’s practically no home in Liberia that is not being affected by drugs,” Rep. Goshua said recently during an anti-drug campaign here.
He suggested that no home, be it a Representative’s or a Minister’s home, that is not affected.
According to Goshua, one way or the other, your child or children, are being affected by drugs.
Goshua’s assertion came despite President Joseph Nyuma Boakai declaring drugs a National Public Health Emergency at the start of the new administration this year.
There have been some efforts to counter the increase of narcotic substances in Liberia, but more young people continue to access narcotics, joining a fast-growing population of drug addicts and disadvantaged folks.
At the recent anti-drug awareness campaign in Grand Bassa, the organizers crafted the theme: “Books, Not Drugs” for students.
The Grand Bassa County Electoral District #5 Representative, Mr. Goshua, described the narcotic drug situation in the country as worrisome.
“This is a situation that targets young people, and Liberia is on “a ticking time bomb,” said Goshua.
“There’s a war on [the] future, if not handled now, we [are] at our risk,” Rep. Goshua added.
He called for more awareness, vigilant engagements, and combat efforts on narcotic substances.
Meanwhile, Rep. Goshua has commanded the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency’s (LDEA’s) frontline officers who are engaged in the fight against illegal substances.
He indicated that they are at risk in tackling drug users.
Recognizing the LDEA’s efforts, Goshua pleaded for an increase in the officers’ salaries and for more budgetary support to the agency.
Further, Rep. Goshua stated that the United Nations Population Fund has reported that about 20% of Liberia’s population is on drugs.
He indicated that it puts the country at further risk.
For his part, Paynesville City Mayor Robert S. Bestman, II, urged students to stun drug abuse.
He called for more sensitization campaigns to limit the rapid increase of drugs here.
According to Mayor Bestman, the combat of drugs needs a more vigorous approach with everyone’s involvement.
He also stressed the importance of a more collaborative approach to tackling substance abuse.
Also speaking, LDEA Chief of Prevention and Awareness, Special Agent Grace Mulbah, emphasized the alarming rate of drugs among the young population.
She pleaded for more investment in awareness to prevent the rapid spread of the substance.
Madam Mulbah, at the same time, pleaded for more budgetary allocation to the LDEA.
Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) Youth Focus- Person Lawrence Dayougar said the initiative is intended to prevent school drug abuse.
He added that it is intended to enhance measures to tackle the rapid spread of narcotic substances among young people.
