GASD/INFOQUEST Release Independent Impact Evaluation Analysis on Liberia's Substance Abuse National Response January 2024-June 2025

The Independent Impact Evaluation Analysis is raising urgent questions about how Multi-Sectoral Steering Committee has handled Liberia’s escalating drug crisis, despite more than $1.4 million in public funds allocated to key institutions. Conducted by Global Action for Sustainable Development in partnership with Infoquest, the report reviews efforts from January 2024 to June 2025 following President Joseph Boakai’s declaration of substance abuse as a national public health emergency. While the government rolled out prevention campaigns, law enforcement training, and rehabilitation programs through agencies like the Ministry of Health and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, the findings suggest that progress on paper may not reflect real impact on the ground.

The report points to deeper structural problems that could be undermining the entire response, including weak coordination, poor data systems, and limited accountability in how funds are tracked and reported. It also highlights the exclusion of civil society from key decision-making processes, raising concerns about transparency and public trust. In a striking recommendation, the evaluation calls for the dissolution of the MSSC and the creation of a new national coordinating body under the presidency, alongside a full audit by the General Auditing Commission. The message is clear: without urgent reform, Liberia risks losing ground in the fight against drug abuse at a time when the crisis demands stronger, more coordinated leadership.

READ THE FULL ANALYSIS

GASD Writes GAC, Calls for Audit of Multi-Sectoral Steering Committee on Drugs

Monrovia, Liberia – The Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD) is calling for a comprehensive audit and major reforms to Liberia’s national drug response, following the release of a detailed Independent Impact Evaluation Analysis submitted to the General Auditing Commission (GAC).

According to the GASD Executive Director, the Independent Impact Evaluation Analysis provides a comprehensive review of the progress and reported activities of the Multi-Sectoral Steering Committee (MSSC) on Drug Abuse and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) from January 2024 to June 2025.

The evaluation, carried out by GASD in partnership with Infoquest, assessed the coordination, effectiveness, and accountability of interventions under the MSSC framework. It reviewed the roles and activities of five key institutions: the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

According to the report, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning disbursed a total of US$1,430,006 to support the national response, including US$515,552 to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, US$500,000 to the Ministry of Health, and US$414,454 to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency. These funds were intended to strengthen prevention, treatment, recovery, law enforcement, and public awareness efforts following President Joseph Nyuma Boakai's declaration of substance abuse as a national public health emergency in January 2024.

While acknowledging the political will of the president and activities such as training drug enforcement officers, community awareness campaigns, and rehabilitation initiatives, Koryor said the evaluation reveals deeper structural problems. “The findings show that the current system is not delivering the level of coordination, accountability, and measurable impact required to effectively address the crisis,” he said.

The report highlights several critical gaps, including poor project documentation, inconsistent reporting formats, weak monitoring and evaluation systems, inadequate data collection, and limited coordination among institutions. It also points to the absence of baseline data, lack of disaggregated information, and incomplete outcome tracking, which make it difficult to measure real impact.

Concerns were also raised about financial accountability, with the evaluation noting limited financial reporting and weak audit mechanisms across implementing entities.

Another key issue identified is the limited involvement of civil society organizations in both implementation and oversight. The report notes that, despite their roles in community engagement and service delivery, civil society actors were largely excluded from planning and reporting processes, thereby reducing transparency and public participation.

Beyond identifying gaps, the evaluation makes strong recommendations. Koryor said GASD is calling for the dissolution of the current MSSC structure, citing its inability to effectively manage the national response. In its place, the report recommends establishing a National Coordinating Secretariat reporting directly to the Office of the President to lead a more coherent and accountable response.

“We need a more focused and results-driven structure that can coordinate prevention, treatment, recovery, and enforcement efforts in a unified way,” Koryor stated.

The evaluation also calls for a full audit by the GAC to verify how public funds were used, as well as reforms to strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems, standardize reporting, and improve data management for evidence-based decision-making. Koryor emphasized that the goal of the evaluation is not only to identify shortcomings but to provide practical, evidence-based solutions.

“This is about strengthening national systems, improving accountability, and ensuring that the response to Liberia’s drug crisis is effective, transparent, and sustainable,” he said.

The GASD boss also stated that the evaluation was conducted through a mixed-methods desk review of MSSC progress reports, monitoring data, and national policy frameworks. It revealed that issues like weak indicators, poor data quality, and gaps between reported activities and actual outcomes hindered a full evaluation of impact.

GASD says it hopes the findings will support the oversight role of the GAC and help guide reforms that restore public confidence and improve Liberia’s response to drug abuse and substance use disorders.

READ THE FULL IMPACT EVALUATION ANALYSIS

At Int'l Drug Day Commemoration, GASD Raises Alarm Over Liberia’s Growing Drug Crisis, Calls for Urgent National Strategy”

Monrovia, Liberia – June 26, 2025

In a powerful show of unity and determination, the Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD) and its partners on June 25, 2025, convened the 3rd Annual Youth Policy Dialogue on Drug Prevention in Liberia, aligning with the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The high-level national event brought together policymakers, public health experts, civil society leaders, youth advocates, and development partners under the theme “Empowering Youth, Strengthening Prevention: A United Liberia Against Drug Abuse.”

This landmark gathering served as a platform for dynamic and solution-oriented dialogue focused on combating the growing drug crisis in Liberia—particularly its impact on young people. Participants engaged in rich discussions that generated a unified call for action: to advance youth-centered, evidence-based policies that prioritize prevention, treatment, and long-term recovery.

The dialogue emphasized the duality of Liberia’s youth: disproportionately vulnerable to drug use yet uniquely positioned as agents of change in the national fight against substance abuse. From panel discussions to policy brainstorming sessions, the event reinforced the urgent need for inclusive, community-led strategies to mitigate the social, economic, and public health impacts of drug use.

Mr. Christopher S. Bangaou, in his program overview, highlighted that as drug abuse in Liberia becomes increasingly tied to poverty, unemployment, mental health issues, and crime, national strategies must go beyond awareness-raising. He stressed the importance of holistic, youth-informed, and intergenerational approaches grounded in lived experience and data.

Attorney Siaffa Bahn Kemokai II, Special Assistant to the Minister of Justice

For his part, Attorney Siaffa Bahn Kemokai II, Special Assistant to the Minister of Justice, delivered a compelling keynote address emphasizing the legal dimensions of drug prevention. He called for stronger legal remedies to tackle drug trafficking and distribution networks while protecting the rights and welfare of young users. His remarks underscored the need to balance enforcement with access to justice, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Mrs. Abigal B.L. Freeman, Executive Director of the Alliance for the Peace, Justice and Human Rights (APJHR),

In her presentation, Mrs. Abigal B.L. Freeman, Executive Director of the Alliance for the Peace, Justice and Human Rights (APJHR), focused on “Substance Abuse and Young Women: A Gender-Sensitive Approach to Prevention and Support.” She highlighted how young women face unique vulnerabilities—often shaped by trauma, exploitation, and social stigma. Freeman stressed the need for prevention programs to incorporate gender sensitivity, access to mental health and reproductive services, and safe spaces for support. "Prevention that ignores gender is prevention that fails," she asserted.

Mr. Brehnev D. Paasewe, Program Manager for Peace and Security at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Mr. Brehnev D. Paasewe, Program Manager for Peace and Security at Catholic Relief Services (CRS), addressed the theme “Strengthening Drug Prevention as a Pillar for Peace and Security in Liberia.” He argued that substance abuse undermines national stability, fuels youth violence, and disrupts social cohesion. Paasewe called for a robust national prevention framework anchored in community resilience, youth empowerment, and peacebuilding principles to counter the root causes of drug use and create sustainable alternatives for Liberia’s at-risk youth.

Aaron Debeh, Substance Use Disorder Focal Person at the Ministry of Health, Liberia

Also contributing to the dialogue, Aaron Debeh, Substance Use Disorder Focal Person at the Ministry of Health, delivered a presentation on “Breaking the Cycle: Integrating Mental Health Support into Drug Prevention Strategies for Sustainable Youth Empowerment.” He emphasized that substance abuse and mental health challenges are interlinked and must be addressed in tandem. Debeh advocated for school-based mental health programs, trained counselors, and expanded community support networks to reduce stigma and ensure early intervention.

GASD Executive Director James Koryor issued a formal statement on June 26, urging the Government of Liberia to declare substance abuse a public health emergency and to develop a National Drug Prevention Strategy rooted in evidence, community engagement, and cultural relevance.

"Prevention must start in our schools, churches, mosques, and communities," Koryor declared. "We call for real investment in treatment centers, mental health services, and long-term rehabilitation. Liberia must shift from punitive drug policies to those based on public health and human dignity."

GASD, find it deeply concerning that the Government of Liberia has failed to treat drug abuse as a national public health emergency. A fragmented approach, combined with the lack of a clear national rehabilitation strategy, continues to endanger the lives and futures of thousands of vulnerable citizens. Koryor noted.

He called for legislative reform to protect the rights of drug users, end criminalization, and prioritize access to education, housing, employment, and social services. “The time to act is now,” Koryor emphasized, “before another generation is lost.”

The event concluded with the signing of a Joint Youth Resolution by participants, reinforcing their commitment and calling on the Government of Liberia to treat substance abuse as a national emergency. The resolution:

• Expressed concern over the psychological, social, and economic impacts of drug use on Liberia’s youth;

• Recognized the urgent need for prevention policies that reflect Liberia’s youthful demographic;

• Acknowledged the rising substance use crisis as a threat to national development and security;

• Demanded that future responses be evidence-based, youth-inclusive, and rights-centered.

As the world marks the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Liberia’s youth have made their stance clear: the fight against drug abuse must be fought not only with laws but with compassion, education, and empowerment. The 3rd Annual Youth Policy Dialogue marks a critical turning point in ensuring that young voices drive the transformation of Liberia’s drug prevention landscape—today and for generations to come.