Last Thursday was a remarkable day in Maryland County as religious leaders, in collaboration with members of the Full Gospel Church, took to the streets to amplify the call to “Say No to Narcotic Substances and Alcohol.”
The campaign, held simultaneously in Pleebo and Harper cities, brought together women, youth groups, and faith-based organizations in a unified stand against the rising wave of drug abuse in Liberia’s southeastern region.
Women in Maryland County, under the banner Maryland Women Against Illicit Drugs, staged a peaceful march through the streets of Pleebo and Harper. They were joined by the Maryland Civil Society Organization and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), chanting anti-drug slogans and urging stronger government action to curb substance abuse.
Following the parade, participants gathered at the Harper Administrative Building, where they presented a petition calling for the establishment of a County Anti-Drug Taskforce. According to the women, the taskforce would complement the efforts of the LDEA, act as community whistleblowers, and help track illicit drug activities across Maryland.
Reading the petition on behalf of the group and in the presence of the Superintendents of River Gee and Grand Gedeh Counties Spokesperson, Annie Mongan, described drug abuse as a “dangerous and destructive force” tearing apart families and endangering the future of young Liberians.
“Honorable Superintendent, today we have gathered to bring to your attention that the issue of drugs is damaging the lives of our children, youths, and the county as a whole,” Mongan declared. “We are calling on your office to establish a taskforce that will help report and combat drug activities in our communities.”
Addressing the gathering, Maryland County Superintendent Henry Cole commended the women and supporting organizations for their initiative and pledged his full support toward creating the proposed anti-drug taskforce.
Superintendent Cole’s commitment was echoed by Grand Gedeh Superintendent Alex Grant and River Gee Superintendent Mike Swengbe, both of whom emphasized the need for a regional collaboration to address drug abuse and related crimes across southeastern Liberia.