IPNEWS: Key amongst the government of Liberia key deliverables for the 100days of president Joseph Boakai is Dr. Louise Kpoto’s strategy for the Health Ministry to combating drugs and substance abuse.
Speaking at the 3-day Presidential Cabinet Retreat, Health Minister Dr. Louise Kpoto alarmed over Liberia’s escalating drug and substance abuse crisis.
Dr. Kpoto said Friday, May 24, 2024 at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, tha urgent need for action and collaboration is needed at the moment to combat pressing drugs issue, which is being consumed by over 1 million young and old people in Liberia.
Acknowledging the multitude of agencies involved in addressing drug abuse, Dr. Kpoto extended gratitude to the Gender Ministry, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Drugs Enforcement Agency, and the Ministry of Justice for their contributions.
She highlighted the importance of the collaborative efforts of the committee in reaching current milestones, stressing the absence of territorial issues within the collaborative framework.
Disturbing global statistics painted a black picture, Dr. Kpoto revealed that 296 million individuals between the ages of 15 to 64 worldwide use illicit substances, as reported by the United Nations referencing a staggering figure of 39.5 million people suffering from illicit drug-related disorders in 2023 alone.
“The lack of real prevalence data at the national level for the past 30 years further complicates informed decision-making,” she added.
In a concerning revelation, the Liberian Drug Enforcement Agency estimated that 77,000 young Liberians were using substances, hinting at a potential population of over 1 million individuals abusing substances currently, including older demographics.
Dr. Kpoto lamented the absence of public rehabilitation centers in Liberia, highlighting the insufficient capacities of existing facilities, including non-governmental centers.
The veteran veteran Health expert underscored the detrimental effects of substance abuse, particularly on youth, citing disorientation and behavioral issues as primary concerns.
Addressing mental health issues, she stressed the importance of medical practitioners in providing necessary support.
The Health Minister outlined a comprehensive three-pronged strategy to address the crisis: primary prevention, secondary prevention, and tertiary prevention.
The Liberian Health Minister’s address highlighted the severity of Liberia’s drug and substance abuse crisis and underscored the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address this pressing public health issue.
By: Staff Writer
