Ministry of Health Identifies Key Drug Hotspots Across Liberia for Urgent Intervention

April 20, 2025

By Feeme Wantee

Monrovia, Liberia: In a significant development for Liberia’s national campaign against drug and substance abuse, the Ministry of Health has mapped key drug hotspots across Liberia for urgent intervention.

The director of Mental Health and Chair on Drug and Substance Abuse at the Ministry of Health addressing the Ministry of Information regular pressing briefing recently said the challenges in addressing the multi-split effort in protecting Liberian’s youth and communities from the devastating impact of drug addiction cannot be overemphasized.

According to Dr. Moses Ziah, over the recent months, the Committee has undertaken an extensive mapping of drug hotspots across Liberia, identifying key areas where urgent intervention is needed highlighted achievements and ongoing challenges.

Thou Dr. Ziah did not mention the specific areas  for the argent intervention but said, “This is not merely a health concern rather, it is a national emergency that intersects with education, public safety, and social development,” He stated. Expanding on the Committee’s efforts, he reported that the public awareness initiatives have been significantly scaled up to educate young people about the dangers of drug use.

He said that at the same time, rehabilitation and reintegration programs are being strengthened to provide meaningful pathways to recovery for former users. “We’re not only fighting against addiction we’re also fighting for the prospects of those already affected,” he added.

Dr. Ziah noted that a major component of the Committee’s current work is a policy review aimed at updating Liberia’s drug laws. He said the objective of this policy review is to align national legislation with the best international practices and ensure the legal framework supports a more effective and humane response.

He also pointed out the importance of integrating mental health services into drug recovery programs, stating that addiction cannot be tackled in isolation from psychological and social support systems. While progress has been made, Dr. Ziah acknowledged that Liberia’s fight against substance abuse is far from over. “We must remain persistent and united,” he urged. “Real change requires resources, commitment, and collective effort.”

The briefing concluded with a strong call to action, emphasizing the need for nationwide collaboration. “Together, we can reclaim our communities. Together, we can build a Liberia where no child is lost to addiction,” Dr. Ziah affirmed. The Multi-Sectorial Committee was formed as part of a broader national initiative to address the rising drug epidemic.

Director Ziah noted that with continued cross-sector collaboration, the Committee remains hopeful that Liberia can reverse current trends and safeguard the well-being of future generations to addiction. “In a notable shift from traditional top-down approaches, the Committee is actively engaging local communities, religious leaders, and grassroots organizations”.

He added “This inclusive, community-based model is designed to ensure that interventions are sustainable, locally owned, and culturally relevant. Dr. Ziah further explained that partnerships are being cultivated with schools, youth groups, and local media outlets to amplify prevention messages and equip young people with the tools to resist peer pressure and substance temptation”.

The comprehensive progress report was made at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism’s regular briefing on Thursday, April 17, 2025.