GASD Takes National Step Toward Drug-Free Schools…Launch Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE) School-based Intervention Program
- Media Unit
- Jun 1
- 5 min read
A wave of color, passion, and purpose swept through Broad Street on Friday morning as over 200 students and youth leaders marched from Snapper Hill to the YMCA Headquarters at Crown Hill in a vibrant awareness parade. The event signaled the official launch of the Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE) School-Based Intervention Program, Liberia’s first national, comprehensive, and evidence-driven school-centered drug prevention strategy.
Organized by the Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD), the awareness parade kicked off the landmark event with banners, chants, and spirited student participation—an emphatic public call for safer, drug-free schools across Liberia. The launch not only drew students from participating schools but also welcomed key representatives from government ministries, civil society organizations, international NGOs, and the education sector.
Welcoming attendees to the official ceremony, Mr. Victor M. Paasewe, Program Officer at GASD, delivered a passionate statement highlighting the significance of the launch. “This is a historic step in our fight against the growing threat of drug abuse among our youth. The SAFE Program isn’t just a campaign—it is a commitment to protecting our children’s futures,” Paasewe said. He extended gratitude to the schools that have signed up for the initiative and underscored the importance of collective responsibility in sustaining the program.
Mr. Christopher Saah Bangaou, the SAFE Program Manager, provided an in-depth overview of the initiative, declaring the SAFE Program as a national movement tailored to Liberia’s unique realities. “This program is not just about awareness—it is about action, sustainability, and long-term transformation,” he noted.
Bangaou elaborated that the SAFE Program is designed to publicly unveil Liberia’s first coordinated national rollout plan for school-centered drug prevention. He emphasized that the program showcases a well-defined strategy with clear goals, objectives, and measurable impact, while serving as a catalyst to foster collaboration and commitment from educational authorities, health institutions, youth organizations, and civil society actors across the country.
He further explained that the launch highlights the urgent need to confront youth substance abuse through structured, school-based interventions. The SAFE Program, he noted, addresses Liberia’s growing exposure to drug-related risks—particularly among young people—by introducing an institutionalized response within the school system. Unlike short-term awareness efforts, SAFE offers a research-driven, sustainable model rooted in Liberia’s context that builds resilience among students and seeks to shift school culture over time.
The program features an evidence-based prevention curriculum that is both age-appropriate and culturally relevant, focusing on life skills, decision-making, and drug resistance education. It also includes youth leadership development through the training of student leaders as SAFE Ambassadors who will spearhead peer education and outreach efforts. Furthermore, each school participating in the program will establish a Prevention Leadership Action Team (PLAT), made up of school staff, students, parents, and community stakeholders, to guide and support implementation. Baseline school surveys will be conducted to understand patterns of substance use among students and to help shape tailored interventions. Finally, the program introduces a standardized model school policy framework, enabling institutions to adopt consistent drug prevention policies in line with national education goals and global best practices.
Serving as the event’s Guest Speaker, Madam Joyce Kilikpo, Executive Director of the Public Health Initiative Liberia (PHIL), captivated the students with a motivating address. She emphasized the importance of staying drug-free and committed to education. “Your dreams are valid, your future is bright, but only if you protect yourselves from the dangers of drugs,” Kilikpo said, calling on students to become advocates for positive change in their schools and communities. She lauded GASD for pioneering an initiative that centers young people in the national prevention conversation.
She further emphasized that tackling drug abuse through early school engagement is one of the most effective strategies. “Prevention is most impactful when it starts young. Investing in school-based interventions means investing in a safer, healthier Liberia,” she said. Her remarks received loud applause from the audience, particularly the students who saw her as a relatable and inspiring figure.
Representing the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Deputy Minister for TVET Hon. Laraamand Nyonton pledged full ministerial support to the SAFE initiative. “This program aligns with the government’s youth development and public health priorities. We stand with GASD and all partners in ensuring our youth are not only educated but protected,” he said. He encouraged the students to embrace the opportunity presented by the SAFE Program, emphasizing the government’s ongoing commitment to tackling substance abuse at every level of society.
Mr. Varney T. Wilson, National Partnership Coordinator for SOS Liberia, delivered a powerful message of encouragement. He praised GASD for taking bold steps in addressing youth drug use and advised students to become "ambassadors of change" in their communities. “You don’t need to wait to become a leader—you are leaders today. Embrace this program and lead the way,” he said. Wilson also highlighted the importance of mentorship and peer-led education, noting that students have the power to influence and transform their school environments.
Other prominent speakers included Mr. Rueben Bobby Logan, Executive Director of the Association of Progressive Youth of Liberia (APYL), who hailed the SAFE Program as a long-overdue intervention in Liberia’s school system. He emphasized the urgent need to equip young people with the tools to resist peer pressure and make informed decisions. “This program provides more than knowledge—it provides power. The power to say no, to make healthy choices, and to become role models,” Logan said.
Madam Mary W. Mulbah-Nyumah, President of the National Teacher’s Association of Liberia, applauded the inclusion of teachers in the SAFE Program framework. “Teachers are often the first line of defense in noticing behavioral changes in students. The SAFE Program gives us the resources and training to intervene meaningfully,” she remarked. She also stressed the need for ongoing support to ensure the program’s sustainability, calling on the Ministry of Education to formally integrate SAFE into the national school system.
Representatives from the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and various civil society organizations (CSOs) also lent their voices in support of the initiative. LDEA officials praised the program’s emphasis on prevention rather than punishment, while CSO leaders committed to help raise awareness and monitor implementation. “The SAFE Program is a beacon of hope in our national response to drug abuse,” one speaker noted, calling it a "model that other nations in the region can replicate."
As the launch concluded, students signed pledges and committed to being champions of the SAFE Program in their respective schools. With support from key stakeholders and a solid implementation plan in place, the SAFE School-Based Intervention Program is poised to revolutionize how Liberia addresses youth substance abuse—one school at a time.
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