Liberia: Gov’t  Launches Five-Year National Anti-Drug Action Plan - FrontPageAfrica

Monrovia – The Government of Liberia(GoL), through the Multisectoral Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse, has officially launched a comprehensive five-year national framework aimed at combating the growing drug and substance abuse crisis in the country.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972) websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

The plan, known as the National Anti-Drug Action Plan (NADAP) 2025–2030, was unveiled on Thursday, December 18, 2025  and is designed to address the serious threat drugs pose to public health, national security, and the future of Liberia’s young population.

Launching the plan, Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, Minister of Health and Chair of the Multisectoral Steering Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse, called for a united national response to the drug menace.

“I am pleased to address you today on the occasion of the official launch of Liberia’s National Anti-Drug Action Plan (2025–2030), a landmark policy instrument developed in response to the growing threat that drugs and substance abuse pose to our public health, social stability, and national development,” Dr. Kpoto said.

She further emphasized that the initiative enjoys strong political backing from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, noting that the plan is anchored on three strategic pillars: Demand Reduction, Supply Reduction, and Governance and Coordination.

“On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Liberia, and in my capacity as Minister of Health and Chair of the Multisectoral Steering Committee, I hereby officially launch and declare operational the National Anti-Drug Action Plan (2025–2030),” she declared.

Also speaking at the launch, Justice Minister and Attorney-General, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, who serves as Co-Chair of the Multisectoral Committee, stressed the importance of sustained collaboration among institutions to effectively tackle drug trafficking and abuse. “One way or another, we are all affected by this menace. Therefore, every institution must play its role to address this situation,” Cllr. Tweh said.

Meanwhile, the Officer-In-Charge of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitzgerald T. Biago, said enforcement alone is insufficient to win the fight against drugs. He emphasized the need for intelligence-led operations, inter-agency cooperation, community engagement, and evidence-based strategies.

“I want to commit the LDEA that we are going to implement this plan with professionalism, integrity, and accountability,” Mr. Biago stated.

Providing an overview of the NADAP, Dr. Moses Ziah, Director of the Mental Health Unit at the Ministry of Health, described drug and substance abuse as a public health emergency requiring urgent national attention.

Dr. Ziah disclosed that an estimated 20 percent of Liberian youth reportedly abuse drugs, citing UNFPA data. With approximately 75 percent of Liberia’s population under the age of 35, he warned that the country faces heightened vulnerability.

He described substance use disorder as “a chronic brain disease that undermines health, education, peace, security, and national development.”

Dr. Ziah outlined the plan’s priority areas, including the regulation of medical controlled substances, legal and judicial reforms, and strengthened governance and coordination. He explained that the implementation framework establishes four leadership levels, including the Multisectoral Steering Committee, Technical Working Group, County Anti-Drug Committees, and Community Anti-Drug Action Teams.

On financing, he revealed that the total indicative budget for the five-year plan is estimated at US$38.08 million, to be mobilized through government allocations, sin taxes, forfeited assets, development partner support, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and public-private partnerships.

“It comes with a clear monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure accountability, including quarterly and annual reporting, mid-term reviews, and end-term evaluations,” Dr. Ziah noted.

In remarks, Col. Wilson W. Boe, Coordinator of Joint Security and Co-Chair of the Technical Working Group, reaffirmed the government’s uncompromising stance against drugs.

“This is not just the unveiling of a document. It marks the beginning of strengthened collective action and accountability across all sectors,” Col. Boe said.