Liberian Students Advocate for Drug Users

Monrovia – Students of RC Lawson High School in Congotown have welcomed the idea for disadvantaged youths otherwise known as zogos to be recruited and placed in rehab centers. These zogos are a group of young Liberians, who are hooked on illicit drugs.

Report By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr(231886458910)[email protected]

The Lawson students mostly 12^th graders think that Liberia can only be freed of criminals if this category of young people is monitored and cared for by the state.

The students said if other young people, who are on the streets doing drugs can be educated or trained by government and NGOs, Liberia will benefit positively from their skills, too.

The Lawson students see the abuse of drugs as a national issue that needs serious attention by the state.

The students made their assertions during a sensitization of helping to save the lives of young people on the streets. They want government to put in place a program to rehabilitate young people from the streets.

Viewing a documentary on victims explaining their stories about how they are abandoned by the society, most of the students felt sorry for those young people on the streets.

The documentary was produced by the National Adult Education Association of Liberia (NAEAL) with sponsorship from XOFOM Liberia.

The purpose of the documentary is intended to educate school-going kids the impact drugs has on the lives of users.

The film highlights the lives of drugs victims especially youths who many in society see as threats. The students expressed sorrow and disappointment in the manner which zogos are being viewed.

Student Sammie Jalibah, think that zogos can make a different if they choose to.

“They can still be good people. We want the government to help and rehabilitate them,” she said.

12^th grader Abraham Kollie wants youth to avoid drugs, which according to him is destroying young people of Liberia.

Another student, Alfred Jallah, frowned on society for the constant abandonment of youths in the street. “They are not supposed to be outcast. The government needs to find places for them,” he noted.

The documentary featured zogos from Grand Bassa County, who were being encouraged to leave their drugs habit and adapt a new life. On the tape, those disadvantaged youths were heard explaining how they got in the habit.

Explaining her drugs habit, a young lady, who has now recovered from the habit, Siah Dolo, said when she took drugs, she and others were always being chased by state security.

According to Siah, because they were abandoned by society, they sought to live in graves and unfinished buildings.

Siah explained in tears, “We were running away every day from them. They can’t give us one cup of water to drink only to call us names.”

For his part, Alvin Richards, a fisherman, states how he uses his fish money to buy drugs. Richards added that he doesn’t keep any money again on him because he always has to satisfy his habit.

Reverend Olivia Weah, a partner to NAEAL, called on NGOs to come in and help the program recruits disadvantaged youths from around the country.

The Project Officer of NAEAL, Luther N. Mafallah, said more than 30 youths, mainly young girls were being trained by them.

“The issue of drug is a security matter and we must put an end to it. We cannot do that without involving the main people who are involved in the act,” he noted.

NAEAL was established in 1977 by a group of young Liberian educators, who were interested in promoting literacy in Liberia.

The group’s aim is to empower people through adult education and literacy in order to sustain community development and cooperation.