Home » Senators Demand Report On Drug War

Senators Demand Report On Drug War

Despite the establishment of a presidential committee to lead the nation’s anti-drug campaign, the war on illegal drugs does not seem to be making progress, as two senators have requested a report on the committee’s activities. Montserrado County Senator A. Darius Dillon and Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh have written the Plenary of the Liberian Senate seeking a public hearing on the National Anti-Drugs Response and the progress of the Presidential Committee on Drugs.

It can be recalled that President Joseph N. Boakai announced a Presidential Committee on Drugs during his January 29, 2024, Annual Message.  The senators said that the president declared drug proliferation and substance abuse a “National Public Health Emergency,” citing the alarming spread of “KUSH” and its devastating impact on Liberian youth as an existential threat to national security and the future.

They reminded fellow senators that President Boakai constituted a steering committee, chaired by the Ministry of Health and co-chaired by the Ministry of Justice, with representation from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

However, the senators said it has been over a year and five months since this critical declaration and the Committee’s establishment. “Yet, the public remains largely unaware of what actions have been taken, what progress has been made, and how the various agencies are coordinating efforts to address this urgent crisis. Meanwhile, LDEA continues to operate with limited resources, and the threat to our children and communities grows,” both senators said.

According to them, as a matter of national urgency and legislative oversight, they believe the Senate must engage the Committee to account for its work, provide updates to the Liberian people, and inform the Legislature on what financial, legislative, or institutional support is needed to accelerate impact.

“Therefore, we respectfully request that you direct the relevant committee or convene a special session to host the following entities in a public hearing: Ministry of Health (Chair of the Committee), Ministry of Justice (Co-Chair), Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning,” they said. For Dillon and Konneh, the hearing will enable the Senate to exercise its oversight function while reaffirming their commitment to President Boakai’s anti-drug war and the future of Liberia’s youth.