28/08/2025
Update
Gbarpolu County Senator, Amara Kenneh writes 👇 👇
"REAL TALK: Please Lead the Fight Against Illicit Drugs, Mr. President!
The ongoing leadership crisis within the LDEA is once again distracting the nation from the urgent battle against illicit drugs. The LDEA saga is making President Joseph Boakai's administration look increasingly ineffective in fighting drugs, and hopelessness is spreading among citizens.
Young users and individuals struggling with addiction, the true victims in this situation, need our support, not the neglect that has resulted from the mess at the LDEA.
The first step is to appoint qualified leadership for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The President's decision to fire top DEA officials twice within 18 months can be attributed to two main factors: political interference in the vetting of appointees by different factions in the President’s ruling alliance, and the infiltration of drug cartels.
For example, the LDEA officers who arrested the Liberian woman at the Roberts International Airport (RIA), livestreamed on Facebook, similar to the body cameras used by U.S. police officers, have since been suspended and transferred from RIA when they should have been honored and promoted for their vigilance.
Additionally, the LDEA Deputy for Administration, who bravely exposed the involvement of "powerful government officials" in the illicit drug trade during a live MICAT Press Conference, has been fired. The cartel is at work.
While these swift appointments and dismissals show some decisiveness, they are insufficient to fulfill the President's campaign promise of “Kush Must Go!” The Agency needs stability and professionalism to address the challenges it faces successfully.
To turn this situation around, the President must oversee a strict vetting process free from his party’s internal and regional politics. This is a Liberian problem, and the process should aim to recruit capable candidates to lead the agency with patriotism and unity.
Next, the Boakai administration must present a concrete action plan to tackle the drug crisis. This plan should focus on both prevention and treatment. We need measures to address the social, economic, and legal challenges that have contributed to and perpetuated the drug epidemic.
Enhancing health infrastructure with professional rehabilitation programs that target the root causes of addiction is essential. Furthermore, we need a strategy to crack down on trafficking, enforce drug laws, leverage technology, and collaborate with local and international partners.
I equate the drug crisis to the Ebola epidemic we faced a decade ago. It impacted the entire region, which was complicated by our porous borders. But both the government and people learned from it and were able to swiftly curb the effects of COVID-19, five years later. We can do it again, drawing on the qualities we exhibited in those two instances: unity and resolve.
Some may argue that the legislature is complacent because we confirm the President's appointments. However, we strive to adhere to the Constitution's separation of powers. We should focus on creating a legal framework to combat drug abuse and overseeing the Executive's initiatives. We are actively working on both fronts.
Despite our written requests for updates on the fight against drugs sent to the Senate and the numerous hearings we have conducted with relevant institutions, we have seen little progress on this initiative.
We already have a strong drug law and are reviewing it for potential improvements. Additionally, we must wisely reallocate resources to fund the President’s strategy adequately.
However, as it stands, there is no viable strategy to finance it. Once a concrete plan is developed, I am committed to leading this effort in the Capitol alongside my colleagues.
Ultimately, it is the Commander-in-Chief who must take the lead by taking charge of the LDEA. The time to act is now. We need a clear plan and a solid team to implement it"
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