By Patrick Stephen Tokpah
Gbarnga, Bong County-A nonprofit organization under the canopy- Liberian Advocates for Change through Social Justice and Human Rights has given six months ultimatum to the government of Liberia to take an immediate step in eradicating the influx and sale of drugs that are damaging the younger generation in the Country.
The Liberian Advocates for Change through Social Justice and Human Rights is a nonprofit organization that is aimed at utilizing the constitution of the Republic of Liberia to promote national unification and empower all citizens to participate in government.
Speaking in an interview with journalists on November 18, 2021in Gbarnga, Bong County, the Founder and Executive Director of the Liberian Advocates for Change through Social Justice and Human Rights, Emmanuel Tanue said the huge importation of drugs in Liberia is damaging or tearing down the fabric of the Liberian society.
According to Tanue, they as institution are giving the government of President George M. Weah a six month ultimatum to take an immediate action to remedy the issue of drugs in Liberia.
He is at the same time demanding the government of Liberia to make it mandatory for victim of drugs to be treated at the various treatment facilities in the Country.
The rights institution revealed that if the government of President George M. Weah refuses to adhere to their six months ultimatum, they will be left with no other alternative, but to file a writ of mandamus, which is to compel the government to adhere to their constitutional ultimatum.
“It is our rights to exercise our constitutional mandate to let or compel government to immediately stop the influx of drugs and the secret killing that’s going on in Liberia.
He called on the government of Liberia to stop what he describes as Human body harvesting in the Country.
He said people have been killed on a daily basis in Liberia and their body parts removed or extracted for ritualistic purposes; adding, we are calling on the government to take immediate action to remedy these issues.
It can be recalled that members of the House of Representatives recently passed the amended version of the Drug and Substances Act of 2014, making it non-bailable.
After several weeks of ratification and consultation, forty-three members of the House of Representatives voted in favor of the bill to be passed.
The decision of the House to amend the 2014 Drug and Substances Act is due to a communication from Grand Bassa County’ district number five Representative, Thomas Goshua, praying that his colleagues make the law non-bailable.
According to Representative Goshua, the 2014 Drug Act, before its amendment, was very weak and could not be used to fight illicit drugs and other harmful substances across the country.
He said the new law seeks to make drug importation and handling non-bailable, as it also seeks to control illicit drugs and other drug-related substances.
He told journalists after the passage of the Act that the essence of the amendment is to give the law “teeth to bite”, adding that anyone caught will serve a prison term of twenty (20) years.
“The bill is also recommending a special court for drug-related offenses, to speedily try drug cases,” he disclosed.
Representative Goshua explained that his passion to fight drugs is drawn from the fact that drug is a “threat to national security and future generations. All well-meaning citizens should join the advocacy and educate people about the danger of drugs”.
Hon. Goshua recommended that government constructs facilities for rehabilitation of drug users and institute a reintegration program; especially for disadvantaged youths, also called “Zogoes”.
Representative Goshua emphasized that he will lobby with his colleagues for budgetary support to empower the relevant institutions responsible to fight drugs in Liberia, like the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA).
It has been reported that the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has been trying to crack down drug dealers and users since the civil war ended, but there are significant challenges due to weak laws and logistical problems.
Investigative report has shown that Liberia is both a transit point for drugs transportation from Western countries and Africa; it has also been alleged that Liberia produces marijuana on a small-scale.
Though the fight against illicit drugs in Liberia is a challenging and an overwhelming undertaking, with the new law, the LDEA and other institutions in the country can be able to curtail the wide use of illicit drugs.
Meanwhile, many citizens are appealing to the members of the Liberian Senate to concur with the House to endorse the bill seeking to make the importation of illicit drug non-bailable.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.