The Presidential Committee on Drugs has disrespected an invitation from the Liberian Senate to appear for a public hearing on Thursday, July 24, 2025. The hearing was intended to provide updates on the committee’s work since it was established by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
The committee is composed of the Minister of Health (Chair), the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, the Minister of Gender, the Minister of Justice, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), and the Minister of Youth and Sports.
However, members of the Presidential Committee on Drugs did not attend the hearing and instead sent their deputies to represent them. When questioned by Senate President, Vice President Jeremiah K. Koung, about when the committee members received the invitation, the deputies claimed they received it on the morning of the hearing. In response, Grand Bassa County Senator Gbehzohngar expressed his disappointment, stating that it was frustrating for the Senate to send communication to the committee only for them to claim they had received it that same morning. He emphasized the seriousness of the drug issue, noting that young people are being harmed daily and every village across the country is being affected.
Senator Findley added that the Senate needs the committee to appear in person to explain the underlying problems or what is causing the drug crisis. He pointed out that if funding is an issue, the committee should inform the Senate during the hearing.
Montserrado County Senator A. Darius Dillon stated that the citation was sent to the Minister of Health on July 23, 2025, and was received by an employee in the minister’s office at noon. He highlighted that in 2024, the legislature had increased the budget for the LDEA.
Dillon criticized the committee’s lack of urgency in addressing the drug problem, arguing that the executive branch is not feeling the pressure to take action while lawmakers are. He concluded that, despite a year passing since President Boakai established the committee, they have shown little commitment to combating drug issues, and that it was the responsibility of the Minister of Health to inform the committee members about the Senate citation.
According to Dillon, fighting against drugs requires more than just budgetary support; it also necessitates demonstrating that programs are funded effectively. A motion was filed for the Presidential Committee on Drugs to submit a framework document or progress report to the Senate Secretary by Wednesday, July 30, 2025, so that it could be reviewed before returning in October 2025.
