At First State-of-the-Nation Address: Pres. Boakai Declares Narcotic Drugs Public Health Emergency

As illicit drug is on the rampage and damaging the youthful population of Liberia, President Joseph N. Boakai has declared drugs and substance abuse a public health emergency; writes Ojuku Silver-tongue Kangar Jr.

   “The drug epidemic, especially the use of ‘Kush’, in our country is an existential threat, eating away at the future of our children and the country,” President Boakai said during his first State-of-the-Nation Address. “We must stand up and face this national security risk together.”

   The Unity Party promised Liberians during the 2023 election campaign to fight drug abuse and minimize it.

   Under President George M. Weah’s administration, there were growing calls from the public for the government to clampdown on illicit importers, dealers and users of drugs, but it did not materialize. At present, the public is resonating the calls for President Boakai to act on the elimination of narcotic drug, as his government turns a one-week old government.

   However, the President called for all hands on deck to fight the substance abuse.

   With families burdened by the drug crisis, President Boakai said there is a need for immediate action. “In this direction, I am establishing a multi-sectoral steering committee comprising the following agencies, Ministry of Health – Chair, Ministry of Justice – Co-Chair, Ministry of Youth and Sports, member, Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, member, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), member, and Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), Member.

   He publicized that he and his Vice President will be the first to take the drug test, urging others to follow suit.

   “In this fight, me and my Vice President, we will be the first to take a drug test, and I urge all others to follow”.

   Drugs that are hampering the youths’ future include marijuana, cocaine, and so on, but the “Kush” is the most dangerous, causing young people to lose their mind and die untimely.

   Kush, which was allegedly used by the Egyptians for embalmment, is highly consumed by the youthful population here.

   They behave abnormally, sleeping in unfinished buildings, cemeteries, smoking dead body bones, and lurking in street corners at night hours and attacking their victims for valuables.

   The illicit drug use situation is a security threat, causing people not to stay out late when they go out -because the drug addicts assail anyone at late hours in order to satisfy their immoral habit.