The National Commission of Catholic Justice, Peace and Caritas (NCJPC), are recommending that the Government of Liberia (GOL) considers the passage of the Drug Law Act.
According to the Commission there should also be a total ban of the sale of narcotics and other illicit drugs in the country.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday in Monrovia, the National Director for NCJPC, McDonald W. Nah, stated that the issue of illicit drugs is a national emergency that is needed to be quickly attended to in order for youths to be safe.
According to him, from what he had seen in various communities in Montserrado and other counties, Liberia does not need drugs because they are yet to see the benefits and the impact of the drugs among the youths.
“I continue to ask why we even have drugs in the country; some of the reasons for which youths are taking in drugs may be because of idleness or peer pressure. So in that means, we gathered together as a church to see how best to help in limiting the idleness by implementing an agriculture project,” he explained.
Rev. Nah said furthered that besides the sustainable agriculture program being run by Caritas and Development Office of Monrovia, the Catholic Church is currently implementing a project titled; Greater Resilience through Opportunity for Work (GROW) which targets 225 disadvantage young people in nine communities in Montserrado.
He stressed that the communities that are benefiting from the project includes, West Point, Gobachop, Logan Town, S.K.D Community, King Gray, Neezoe, Central Monrovia, New Georgia and Chocolate City.
NCJPC National Director added that 217 of the 225 have been trained in business management skills, Business Plan Development and Village Saving Loan Association (VSLA) concepts.
He mentioned that even though they are not able to build a rehabilitation centre for the disadvantage young people, from their own interventions, in several communities they have carried on awareness on the bad effect of illicit drugs and also helped in making sure that they get busy on the soil by doing something that will benefit them and their family.
He said that the Catholic Church in Liberia with sustained support from various partners has endeavoured to fulfil its social and development mission to all Liberians, adding that they are grateful to all those who support the mission of the church.
