21/07/2025
Say No To Drugs
Vivian Neejay Innis-McGill writes 👇
As we gear up to march against the use of drugs, it is essential that our petition clearly reflects the Legislature’s mandate, not duplicating the responsibilities of existing agencies, but demanding action where accountability has failed.
The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023, commonly referred to as Liberia’s Drug Law, assigns key responsibilities for drug prevention, enforcement, treatment, and rehabilitation. It mandates the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) to lead on enforcement, and assigns roles to the Ministries of Health, Justice, and Youth and Sports to coordinate public health responses, rehabilitation, education, and reintegration.
The Legislature, for its part, is primarily responsible for oversight, budget allocation, and amending or strengthening laws where gaps exist.
While I fully support the march and deeply appreciate the passion driving this powerful movement, I believe it’s crucial that our collective action leads to measurable and lasting outcomes.
As we prepare to present our petition, may we also ask:
What exactly are we demanding from our lawmakers?
Are we calling for increased funding for rehabilitation? Stronger legislative oversight of existing drug control institutions? Amendments to the 2023 law to address implementation gaps?
To ensure this campaign does not become just another emotional outcry, let’s think about the establishment of a Citizens’ Drug Policy Accountability Taskforce - a non-partisan, community-based body that can:
• Track and follow up on the petition’s progress within the Legislature,
• Recommend rights-based and evidence-informed policy solutions,
• Facilitate cross-sector engagement with civil society, health and legal experts, and youth leaders, and
• Ensure transparency and sustained public awareness.
Let’s not only raise our voices, but structure our advocacy to drive real reform and protect the next generation.
