Solomon Y.W. Watkins

Glory be to God - 9/30

Will Saying No to Drugs on August 7 Truly End the Drug Crisis in Liberia?

By Y. Solomon W. Watkins, a journalist, advocate for human rights and accountability

On August 7, Liberia will once again rally around the call to “Say No to Drugs”, a campaign intended to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and inspire collective action to combat the growing crisis. The campaign is commendable. It reflects a national effort to awaken our conscience to the devastating effects of narcotics on our youth, communities, and the future of our nation.

But as we prepare our posters, wear our campaign T-shirts, and march through the streets with good intentions, we must ask the uncomfortable but necessary question: Will saying "No" to drugs be enough to actually end the drug problem in Liberia?

The drug issue in Liberia is deeply complex. It is not simply a matter of personal choice or peer pressure. It is entangled in poverty, unemployment, corruption, weak border controls, and a fragile justice system. While advocacy is a powerful tool, it must be matched with systemic, long-term strategies that address the root causes and networks that sustain the drug economy.

Liberia has witnessed an alarming rise in drug trafficking and consumption in recent years. Synthetic drugs like kush and tramadol are destroying the lives of young people. Many are trapped in ghettos (unfinished buildings) not just because of addiction, but because of hopelessness and lack of opportunity. Others are recruited into trafficking because it presents one of the few avenues for income in a tough economy. Simply telling them to say "No" without offering a real alternative is unrealistic and even unfair.

Moreover, there are questions about how drugs continue to flow into our ports and communities. Who is allowing these substances in? Who is profiting? What systems are in place, or not in place, to hold these actors accountable?

While answers to these questions still remain unaddressed, we do believe that if the below recommendations, as outlined, as practical solutions, are considered, the war against drugs in Liberia will have lasting meaning:

Practical solutions beyond slogans

1. Strengthen Drug Law Enforcement, But With Integrity

It is not enough to have laws on paper. Authorities must be properly trained, resourced, and monitored to carry out their duties without fear or favor. Border patrols and customs officers must be held accountable to stop the inflow of drugs.

2. Invest in Rehabilitation, Not Just Arrests

Addicts are not criminals; they are victims of a broken system. Liberia needs more rehabilitation centers, mental health support, and reintegration programs to help people recover and rebuild their lives.

3. Create Economic Alternatives for Youth

Vocational training, entrepreneurship, and job creation should be a top priority. If young people have access to opportunities, they are less likely to fall into the trap of drugs or trafficking networks.

4. Community Empowerment and Education

Awareness campaigns must go beyond a one-day event. Schools, churches, mosques, and community leaders must be continuously engaged to educate the public about drugs and to provide safe spaces for dialogue and healing.

5. Political Will and Policy Reform

Most importantly, the government must show the political will to implement reforms that go after the big players, not just the small-time users or street-level dealers. A national drug policy must be effectively resourced and independently monitored.

To this end, while we support the August 7 “Say No to Drugs” campaign, let it not be a symbolic ritual without real substance. Let us match our words with actions. Let us demand more than slogans. Because saying “No” to drugs is not just a chant, it must become a comprehensive national strategy backed by law, opportunity, accountability, and compassion.

Only then can we begin to imagine a Liberia where drugs no longer define the destiny of our youth.

Heavenly Father,

On this sacred day, as our nation bows in prayer and reflection, we lift our voices to You, the Author of wisdom, justice, and peace.

Lord, You see the struggles of our people on the streets, in the markets, in every public space. You hear the silent cries of the underemployed and even those employed but barely surviving. You know, O God, the weight of this broken economy pressing on the shoulders of the common man, woman, and child.

Father, we bring before You the deep insecurity that haunts our communities seen in violence, theft, and fear. We ask that You stretch forth Your hand of protection and bring peace to our land. Raise up men and women of integrity to secure our streets not just with force, but with justice, opportunity, and hope.

Lord, the challenges we face are many and rooted in over a century of broken systems. Yet, we do not give up. We believe in change not only from the top, but throughout every level of leadership and service. We know the presidency matters, especially in Liberia’s fragile democracy, but we also know that real change demands the reform of systems which includes our justice, education, health, and economic frameworks.

God, we pray for our leaders, especially President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr . May he lead not just with vision, but with urgency. Though six years may not be enough to solve all our problems, let these years be marked by serious political will, bold reforms, and a new culture of accountability and progress.

Stir the hearts of all leaders elected, appointed, traditional, and spiritual to work not for self-interest, but for national transformation. Raise up a new generation with hearts to serve, and minds to innovate.

May Liberia rise not just in prayer, but in action; not just in words, but in systems that work; not just for the privileged, but for every Liberian.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

A Birthday Tribute to the ‘Adam and Eve’ figures of Grand Bassa County – Senators: Gbehzohngar Milton Findley & Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence

On this special occasion, we join the people of Grand Bassa and Liberia at large in celebrating the birthdays of two iconic trailblazers in Bassa Legislative Caucus Chair, Senator Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, and President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, whom history will forever record as foundational pillars of our beloved county.

Revered as the ‘Adam and Eve’ of Grand Bassa’s political renaissance, the two are not just the most visible political figures from the county in the post-war era, they are the first to rise, lead, and sustain Grand Bassa’s voice at the highest levels of national decision-making since the passing of the late Sen. John A. Whitfield. Their resilience, prominence, and pioneering roles in both the executive and legislative branches have inspired generations of Bassa sons and daughters to believe in the possibility of county-driven leadership at the national table.

But as we celebrate your lives and your journeys, we are reminded that Grand Bassa still yearns for greater coordination, a common agenda, and the healing of long-standing divides. The people continue to carry the weight of missed opportunities. Now more than ever, the county looks to you for leadership that transcends titles for unity that heals, uplifts, and delivers.

Beyond the high-level aspirations of unity and reconciliation, several urgent needs cry out for immediate action:

 The decentralization and operational upgrading of health facilities, particularly in rural districts, where access remains a daily challenge for pregnant women, children, and the elderly.

.Youth and young adult empowerment programs that go beyond token initiatives, focusing instead on educational advancement, technical skills training, agricultural cooperatives, digital literacy, and real job creation.

 A county scholarship and financial aid fund with a transparent governance framework to ensure equity, continuity, and impact for deserving students across institutions.

 Rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads to support smallholder farmers and boost local economies, especially in isolated agricultural corridors.

 A special commission or working group on reconciliation and unity within Grand Bassa, led by trusted elders and stakeholders, to resolve internal fragmentation and restore collective pride.

These are not just political issues, they are people issues, real and urgent. Grand Bassa cannot afford to move in different directions any longer. The time to consolidate leadership, bridge gaps, and forge a united front is now.

So, as you both mark another year of life, may this be more than a moment of reflection, may it ignite a renewed charge to stand together, to lead together, and to finish the work you began for the people of Grand Bassa and Liberia.

Happy Birthday, Sen. Findley and Sen. Lawrence.

May your new year be filled with wisdom, grace, and the strength to answer the call of history once more.

With deep respect and hopeful urgency,

Y. Solomon W. Watkins
Citizen of Grand Bassa County