Drug Abuse Situation Analysis on Liberia
This situation analysis assesses the current state and long term impact of substance abuse in Liberia focusing on Drug Policy Reform, Drug Law Enfrocement, Drug Rehabilitation and Prevention. Conducted by the Global Action for Sustainable Development-GASD a national civil society organization.
Liberia is fast becoming a significant transit country for illicit narcotics, the country’s nascent law enforcement capacity, porous border controls, and proximity to major drug transit routes contribute to trafficking to and through Liberia. The recent arrest of 100 million United States Dollars worth of drug and other huge consignement of drug has excebated the situation even more. While Liberia is not a significant producer of illicit narcotics, local drug use, particularly of marijuana, is very common. Other drug usage includes heroin (mostly smoked) and cocaine (snorted). Local authorities have reported increasing prevalence of amphetamine-type stimulants and intravenous drugs.
Liberia missed out when the United Nations afforded the opportunity of disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and resettlement of former fighters. Liberia negated addressing the drug habit/addiction of former fighters during the program; a choice that haunts the current generation today with rising youth debut in drug use culminating from peer pressure, organic solidarity and differential association. Currently, there are over 866 ghettos in Monrovia that serve as home to chronic drug users and these ghettos are associated with illicit activities. Presence of open scenes consumption has been confirmed in others counties of Liberia. LDEA confirm that “we can find a ghetto in every community” in Monrovia and Montserado. “As for consumption space is mostly surrounded around Monrovia, which is believe to have about 65% of the substance consumption space are localized in Monrovia. The rural sector is like a transit route to Monrovia”