By Lincoln G. Peters
Opposition Unity Party (UP) Montserrado County Electoral District #13 Representative aspirant Mrs. Cornelia Kruah-Togba has officially launched the District 13 Drug Awareness & Resistance Education (DARE) Movement which is aimed at raising awareness on drugs and substance abuse and to protect Liberia’s future generation against drug abuse.
The official launching of the DARE movement was held at the New Georgia Nigerian Shop Football field and brought together hundreds of residents of District #13.
The program was also graced by former Liberian Vice President and current standard bearer of the former ruling Unity Party, Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai, All Liberian Party (ALP) political leader Mr. Benoni Urey, Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, Unity Party Chairman Amin Modad and Mr. Mo Ali, Secretary General of UP.
The launching was followed by kickball and football tournaments among 38 communities from April 9-30, 2022.
The program aims to inform residents of the district, especially young people, about the danger and risk of consuming illicit drugs and other harmful substances.
Giving an overview of the program, Ms. Kruah-Togba said District #13 is highly affected with drug abuse.
“This movement’s intent is not just to bring young people together, but to keep us around and help create awareness for all of us concerning this national nightmare,” Madam Kruah – Togba said.
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She said the wild spread of drugs in the district and in Montserrado County can be reduced, but it has to start with a little step.
“We will visit high schools, communities to continue this awareness and inform the people about the risk of drugs and how young people are damaged from it,” Ms. Kruah-Togba noted.
According to her, most of the disadvantaged youths had turned into car loaders and usually begged for five or ten dollars, while some even engaged in stealing to support their habit.
Making a remark at the program, Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon said zogoes at first used to be a small group of people, but today, they have grown and are now in every community and home.
According to Senator Dillon, because of the use of drugs, crime rate across the country has increased, adding that Liberia is almost no longer safe even during the day.
“People go to crusade and their normal business, they are not safe. Drugs addiction, substance abuse [are] killing our country and damaging our society,” he said.
Senator Dillon said he wishes that Montserrado Senator Saah Joseph can put aside politics and join the initiative instituted by Ms. Kruah-Togba to raise awareness about drugs and substance abuse among the youths and residents of District #13.
Also speaking, All Liberian Party political leader Mr. Benoni Urey pledged his commitment to the initiative, promising that he will make sure the dream is achieved.
He said Liberia is losing its youthful population on a daily basis, saying the country’s hope is going down the drain because of this same drug and substance abuse that the government is taking lightly.
For his part, Unity Party Chairman Amin Modad thanked all for coming and expressed excitement and appreciation to Ms. Kruah-Togba for the initiative.
Mr. Modad added that it’s only by raising awareness on the danger of drugs and substance abuse that they can save the future generation from drug abuse.
He described drug and substance abuse as a national pandemic that is killing the fabric of the society, adding that the UP government under the leadership of Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai will take the fight against drugs seriously.
