By Laurina B Lormia
The Liberia National Rehabilitation for Drugs and War Affected Persons (Veteran Home) is calling on the government and various organizations to extend support to disadvantaged youths across the country.
This initiative aims to provide care and support to disadvantaged youth, war-affected individuals, and children struggling with drug addiction.
Making remarks, the Executive Director and CEO of Veteran Home, Augustine J. Nagbe, emphasized the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address these challenges. Adding that, they are running this program to support the government’s efforts in providing care for individuals struggling with drug and substance abuse.
According to him, since the end of the civil war, Liberia is fighting another war, the war of drugs and substance abuse. With limited government treatment facilities including psychiatric hospitals, and rehabilitation centers for drug users.
“In June 2022, the Government of Liberia, in collaboration with its partners, launched a national fundraising campaign to support a program aimed at the rehabilitation and empowerment of At-Risk Youth.”
“The total funding requirement for the program is estimated at $13.5 million. Although the program has not yet commenced, the government committed $1 million during the launch and allocated an additional $1 million in the 2023 national budget,” he narrated.
He added that, to address the issue and ensure a secured future for its victims, will require the collective efforts of everyone. “Everyone has a role to play to combat this deadly virus within our society as the growth of every nation depends on the youthful population.”
“With a current enrollment of 550 students, comprising 500 males and 50 females, sourcing funds to provide medication, three daily meals, and other necessities has become a significant challenge, particularly because the home is self-supported,” he stressed.
The absence of effective Drug Demand Reduction initiatives has contributed to a rise in illnesses among substance users. A Global Action for Sustainable Development report estimates that there are over 866 ghettos in Monrovia.
Due to the lack of treatment, care and support, the organization has also noticed an increasing death rate of substance users living on the streets which have been attributed to the introduction of a new substance called KUSH and its prevalence of TB among drug users also contribute significantly to the rising death rate, he concluded.
