Monrovia – In a move to create more awareness on the stigma and discrimination associated with substance abuse, Liberia Initiative For Empowerment (LIFE) Miracle Sisters have officially launched a campaign to discourage the young people of Liberia from taking in harmful drugs Called “SUPPORT DON’T PUNISH”.
The Campaign is joining the global campaign to lend support to substance users and not punish them for the scourge of addiction.
The Liberian based NGO on March 29, 2019 brought over 50 high school students from the Brewerville community together to enlighten their minds on the danger of consuming harmful substance and reproductive health and Sexual Gender Based Violence.
The campaign is also aimed at calling for drug polices based on health and human right issue.
The founder and Chief Executive Officer of LIFE Jodie Reid Seton appreciate the male students for attending the training.
Madam Seton said it is time to stand up for the future leaders of the country by discouraging drugs abuse and sexual gender-based violence against girls.
“There is no accuse for rape, you must take the massage to your homes and schools that rape is not a family issue,” “Let’s stop the stigma and discrimination against people affected by Substance abuse,” madam Seton told the students and parents.
She wants Liberian to join the campaign to encourage the Government to initiate a program based on health and human right to help substance users.
“Join us as we come to your community and be part of the global advocacy campaign calling for drug policies based on health and human rights,” the LIFE CEO challenge the students.
Speaking at the daylong program named LIFE Core program youth Seminar the deputy project Manager of Ministry of Health Ester F. Grant who spoke on the topic reproductive health call on the students to always ask for the necessary information about development in their body.
She said gone are the days when parents prevented the children of vital information concerning developing in the body.
“As young people it is important to be mindful and take your education seriously because it will help you be successful, it is key to your future and will carry you places.” Mrs. Grant said.
She was true to the children by saying sex is sweet but must be mature before going into sexual activity.
“This is the time to make decision to study and go on the honor roll list, when you enter collage you can make the best decisions in life” she told the students.
Speaking to the male students Mrs. Grants urged them not to do harmful drugs but to be focus on their education which will make them leaders tomorrow.
She challenge the students to be satisfied with whatever their parents give them because it they are not they will get it the wrong way which will harm them.
Also at speaking at the program the executive director of the Liberians Against Drugs Abuse, Eugene David encourage the kids to go out in their community and not stigmatize their friends who are drugs users.
“We need to start educating the kids from home how harmful drugs are dangerous to their body and society,” David said.
According to him, when people are educated they make better decision, so education about substance abuse is better them stigmatization.
The advocate against drugs in Liberia disclosed that 90% of youth that take in drugs become nothing in life something he said is not good for the country because the country depends on the future generation.
He said it is time for schools to own super Friday by having activities for students outside of their normal academic study.
“For you to not to be like those disadvantage youth you need to stay away from bad friends.” “I have come to tell you to be very much focus on positive things, education on substance abuse is not about age or religious you must go out and educate others on things you learn from here today,” Eugene said.