Editorial: The Administration Robust In Its Fight To Eradicate The Trade In, And Use Of, Illegal Substances
IT CAN BE recalled that during the electioneering period the Boakai administration committed to eradicating the trade and use of illegal substances in Liberia, emphasizing that illicit drugs were dampening the future of the young generation and the country. The administration has been making enormous effort in the fight against drug and illegal substances since its inception, as there has been visible achievements in the effort to eliminate the high drug intake among the youth and the arrest of several drug dealers in and around Monrovia.
TRUE TO THE commitment to fight drug, President Boakai appointed the former Police 102, Col. Abraham Kromah, to head the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA)—to lead the fight to reduce the high infiltration and abuse of drugs in the Liberian society.
ACCORDING TO THE government’s 100-day action plan assessment report, to achieve its objective US$200,000 was allotted towards the fight, with massive community engagements and awareness on-going at 21 high schools. The report disclosed that 21 ghettoes have been raided and over 200 suspected drug dealers detained, including notorious individuals who are being prosecuted.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS identified and is monitoring specific locations in densely populated areas such as Zimbabwe Ghetto, 12th Street Block, the community behind ERA Supermarket, and King Gray community. Early this week, the LDEA in collaboration with the Liberia National Police (LNP) raided the Pelham Building, which is considered the main hideout for criminals and drug abusers in Central Monrovia.
IN TOTAL, THE LDEA has been successful in raiding about 21 ghettoes in Montserrado County: Car Wash Ghetto, SKD Boulevard; Rehab Building, RehabCommunity; Zimbabwe, Congo Town Back Road; 12th Street Block, 12th Street Landside Community; Moscow Empire Ghetto, Congo Town Back Road; Pelham Building, Central Monrovia; Handful Block, Du-Port Road, Paynesville; Chairman-G Block, Thinker Village;Kebbah Ghetto, Bardnersville; Gobachop Ghetto, Redlight; Big Gue, Thinker Village; Steven Tolbert Estate Ghetto; Riverview Ghetto, 24th Street ERA; Tusa Field Ghetto; Matadi Ghetto; Old Road Chubgoh Ghetto; Topre Village Ghetto, Gaye Town Ghetto; Nezo Ghetto; and Tray Ghetto, Bardnerville.
ACCORDING TO THE report, to further enhance public safety and accountability, active drug users in these communities are being monitored for future enrollment in rehabilitation centers.
THE REPORT DISCLOSED that community engagements on sensitization and education on drug prevention are in progress in a number of schools in Montserrado County, with many praising the LDEA’s effort in restoring sanity to the streets of Monrovia.