𝐇𝐨R Lunches 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 T𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 On Drug

The House of Representatives (HoR), has officially launched its legislative response to the escalating drug crisis, with the Ad Hoc Committee on National Drug Emergency holding its first sitting.

The hearing, which took place on Monday, September 1, 2025, brought together key stakeholders of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), ministries of Youth and Sports (MYS), Education (MOE), Liberia National Police (LNP), and the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS).

Sinoe County District #2 Representative Samson Q. Wiah, chaired the seven-member specialized Committee, which the Mr. Koon instituted.

Rep. Wiah delivered a sobering message about the scale and urgency of the drug crisis, which he described as an ‘existential threat eating away at the very core of Liberian society.’

He cited the synthetic drug “Kush” as a primary driver of youth devastation, referencing a 2023 UN study that found one in five Liberian youths, is a narcotics user.

Data from that same year revealed that over 60 percent of drug-related arrests involved individuals aged 15 to 30.

The consequences, he said, are far-reaching and deeply felt with the Ministry of Health reporting that over 35 percent of mental health cases in primary urban clinics involve young people in substance abuse.

The Liberia Psychiatric Association confirmed that drug addiction is now the leading cause of psychiatric admissions at the nation main mental hospital.

“We are losing a generation to this menace,” Rep. Wiah said.

He outlined the committee mandate, which includes reviewing and strengthening the drug laws to ensure they are both punitive for traffickers and rehabilitative for users.

He spoke of the need for close collaboration with the Executive Branch, and relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated national response.

Wiah also called for increased budgetary support to fund rehabilitation centers, public awareness campaigns, and law enforcement initiatives.

With over 866 active drug dens in Monrovia alone, and fewer than five fully functional rehabilitation centers nationwide, he said current resources are ‘woefully inadequate.’

Also, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Fitzgerald T. M. Biago, who now serves as Officer-in-Charge of the LDEA, presented a detailed briefing on the Agency interim reform strategy with focused on restoring integrity, improve internal operations, and enhancing community engagement.

He announced that all LDEA personnel would undergo mandatory drug testing to ensure credibility within the agency.