The National Drug and Substance Abuse Program (NADSAP) has successfully trained at least 75 Liberians in drug prevention, treatment, and recovery. On Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health (MOH), Dr. Moses Ziah II, who is also the Director for Mental Health and Chair of the Team on Drug and Substance Abuse, emphasized that the training will enhance the delivery of evidence-based interventions.
Dr. Ziah recalled that on January 29, 2024, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, in his first state of the nation address, declared drug and substance abuse a national health emergency. He announced the establishment of a task force during that speech, which includes several agencies. The Ministry of Health serves as the chair, while the Ministry of Justice is the co-chair, along with the Ministries of Youth and Sports, Gender, Children and Social Protection, and Finance and Development Planning, among others.
Dr. Ziah also mentioned that they are developing a master’s level curriculum for Clinical Addiction Studies, which will be offered at the University of Liberia’s College of Health Sciences (ULCHS).
Additionally, a drug information system is being developed to ensure accurate data collection on patterns and types of substances commonly abused. They will continue to conduct substance use prevention awareness campaigns in schools, religious centers, communities, on social media, and through radio and television, targeting hundreds of thousands of Liberians.
Since the establishment of the task force, Dr. Ziah reported that over 120 individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) have been rehabilitated and successfully reintegrated into society. They are currently collaborating with the Mother of Light Rehabilitation Center.
“We have one inpatient center that offers six to nine months of residential treatment and vocational training, which includes agriculture, tailoring, computer skills, soap making, landscaping and decoration, and building construction,” he said.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice is coordinating joint security efforts to reduce supply, while the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency has deployed officers at all international borders across the 15 counties. Dr. Ziah’s team also distributes food and non-food items to several rehabilitation centers and safe homes for individuals undergoing treatment.
