The Parliament of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament) is organising an awareness campaign on drug abuse and mental health from 4 to 8 August 2025, in Monrovia, Liberia.
This initiative follows similar campaigns previously held in Conakry (Guinea) and Freetown (Sierra Leone) in June of this year. The campaign aims to alert stakeholders about the escalating challenges posed by substance abuse and mental health disorders, an increasingly pressing issue in West Africa.
A statement by the Communication Division of the sub-regional parliament explained that: “Delegation of ECOWAS Parliament members, led by prominent figures such as Orlando Pereira Dias, Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee on Health, will support the mission with parliamentary staff.
“They anticipate extensive engagement with national stakeholders, including ministerial representatives, healthcare professionals, youth in recovery, civil society organizations, and local authorities. The parliamentarians will also conduct field visits to specialized treatment centers.”
Orlando Pereira Dias emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating, “This is a war.” Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay added, “We believe in transparency and truth. Spreading falsehoods to gain relevance is unacceptable.” These quotes underscore the gravity and the need for honest approaches to tackling drug abuse and mental health issues in the region.
In retrospect, Liberia has been grappling with the devastating impact of drug abuse. Many young people in Liberia are at risk of falling prey to substance abuse due to poverty, joblessness, and lack of education. The economic burden is significant, with users in neighboring Sierra Leone spending up to $10 a day on the deadly psychoactive drug “kush”, a stark contrast to the average annual income of less than $500. In a harrowing incident in Sierra Leone, 32 people died in a single day due to kush-related complications.
The ECOWAS Parliament’s awareness campaign aims to engage national stakeholders to build a resilient and united community that prioritises the well-being of its youth. Hon. Sesay stated, ”
The fight against drugs must involve the whole community.” This campaign aligns with ECOWAS’s ongoing efforts to address substance abuse and mental health disorders in West Africa.