By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson
With commitment to rehabilate victims of drugs abuse and addiction, the Volunteer Against Substance Sexual Abuse and Addiction recently organized a one-day workshop aimed at curbing the proliferation of drug and sexual abuse among young people.
The event was held under the theme “Building Knowledge for Sustainable Impact” and brought together youth and adolescents between the ages of 12 -35. The event outlined challenges hampering drug control and prevention and build strategy to reduce the proliferation of ghettos across Montserrado and Liberia at large.
It can be recalled in October 2014, the LDEA Act and a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act came into effect. This legislation conforms to the UN drug conventions and provides a strong foundation for more effective law enforcement activities.
The Chairperson of VASSAA Mr. Yidamno-Antiono Wesley, in his deliberation to the young people of Liberia, attributed the challenges that most young people faced to get out of drug abuse to the lack of violation change from within.
However, Mr. Wesley urged participants at the program to always render motivation to young people within their communities to help them achieve their dreams, rather than calling them names that will undermine the process of the rehabilitation and further discourage them from reaching their dreams.
“In everyone, there is a community that begins with you, your parents, brothers and sisters; so, let’s rally efforts to encourage everyone in the community to achieve their potential dreams.”
The university and secondary students at the workshop during their presentation on the organization mission and objective, they vow to use the Controlled Drug and Substance Act of 2014, to help emancipate the community from drugs and sexual abuse.
Drugs and substance abuse and violence against women have become prevailing challenges that most young people are faced with.
VASSAA efforts support the government effort to minimize the risks that drugs and substance abuse and as well as sexual abuse poses to the future of young people across Liberia.
