Monrovia – The Substance Users Transformation Union (SUTU) in collaboration with Daughters of Dorcas held an induction ceremony for newly elected leaders.
Report by Asata Dukuly, Intern
Giving his inaugural address, the president of SUTU says the use of illegal substances has affected about 60% of the youths in the country.
Lawrence Jackson said having observed the setbacks in their lives due to the use of drugs and other addictive substances, they decided to organize themselves into a union to cater for drug-affected youths.
He said the group seeks to minimize drugs use and provide skill training for its members.
Jackson said as a result of drug addiction, they have lost respect among their parents, loved ones and even friends.
He hopes that with the ascendency of president George Weah, there will be rapid changes in the lives of youths especially those affected by drugs.
He mentioned that for too long they have lavished in ghettos, marginalized and characterized as criminals, killers and rogues but according to him, they have refined their minds, noting that they cannot continue to live a life of regrets, disgrace, shame, and humiliation.
“You will be surprised to know that in every ghetto, you will find tradesmen and women, University dropouts, potentials and skilled men and women who have always been known to cause havoc for the citizens but this time around, we want to contribute our quota to society despite our past lives,” he said, calling for hollistic help to ensure they are reintegrated into society instead of being stigmatized.
Also speaking Rev. Esther T.S. Donmo, vision bearer of SUTU, said being a victim of abuse and humiliation based on misconceptions is troubling.
She recalled that during one of her visits to a ghetto, she was driven by passion to help understand the true meaning of life and to give users a renewed hope.
“With this quest, I started to visit all the ghettos around Monrovia and make them understand that despite being an addict, they can transform their lives,” she noted.
She narrated that in an effort to be able to get to them as a group, she launched the initiative and has since been “doing things with their little resources”.
“If each of us as Liberians can make these brilliant moves and sacrifice, erasing the thoughts of empowering only our close associates, relatives and friends, etc, then Liberia will be a safe place in just a few years.”
Giving his testimony, one of the former addicts expressed gratitude to the Daughters of Dorcas for bringing transformation into their lives.
Aloysius Allison, who is a 2007/2008 graduate of the St. Kizito High School and now secretary general of the of SUTU, said upon graduation, he entered the University of Liberia where he was introduced to drugs by friends.
He said he was overjoyed that “God have sent someone to rescue him” and that he has gone one year six months without using substance.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Sesay who is still using drugs, said he is disappointed that President George Weah has not started any program for disadvantaged youths.
Sesay says he “feels empty whenever I think about the kind of life I’m living”.
He called on President Weah and the entire government to assist the Dorcas’ initiative by helping to transform their lives. He warned that if the government fails them, “they will face us in the upcoming elections”.
SUTU is an organization made up of former substance users who are now on the path of transformation and also encouraging other users.