Monrovia, Liberia — August 2025
Thousands of Liberians took to the streets of Monrovia this week in a sweeping protest demanding government action against a deepening national drug crisis. The demonstration, one of the largest in recent memory, reflects growing public outrage over the rise of synthetic narcotics like Kush — a cheap, highly addictive drug that is devastating the country’s youth.
Marchers carried signs reading “Kush is Killing Us” and “Rehab Not Prison,” calling for urgent reforms, expanded rehabilitation centers, and stronger measures to dismantle drug trafficking networks.
“We are witnessing the collapse of our future,” said Mariama Johnson, a youth activist who helped organize the demonstration. “Entire communities are suffering, and the silence from those in power is deafening.”
Adinkra Media has been closely monitoring the unfolding crisis, highlighting how Liberia’s youth face rising addiction rates amid high unemployment, limited educational opportunities, and porous borders that allow the easy inflow of illicit substances.
Health experts have issued repeated warnings about the inadequacy of the government's current strategy. While the Ministry of Health has pledged to launch public education campaigns and tighten enforcement, many citizens see the promises as vague and underfunded.
“The kids I work with are not criminals — they’re victims,” said Daniel Kromah, a counselor at a small, privately funded rehab center in Paynesville. “They need support, not handcuffs.”
Although President Joseph Boakai has acknowledged the drug crisis in public statements, critics argue that real progress remains elusive.
“This is not just a health issue — it’s a humanitarian emergency,” added Kromah. “We need a national strategy, not a press release.”
As families grieve and communities reel from the impact of addiction, protest organizers say this is only the beginning of a broader grassroots campaign aimed at pressuring leaders into meaningful action.
Adinkra Media, dedicated to elevating African voices and stories that matter, will continue reporting on Liberia’s evolving drug crisis — amplifying the voices of affected youth, community workers, and activists demanding urgent change.