LDEA Calls for Community Support in Drug Fight -Rolls out New Services, Including Whistle-blower Protection

MONROVIA – The Liberian Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has launched a series of initiatives aimed at combating the growing drug problem in the country.

In a town hall meeting at the Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinions (CEIO), the LDEA’s Officer-in-Charge, Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitzgerald T. M. Biago, outlined the agency’s new programs and services designed to prevent drug abuse, support victims, and bring perpetrators to justice.

He disclosed at the town hall meeting that the LDEA has taken a significant step towards tackling the growing drug problem in the country.

Speaking to a crowd of citizens last Friday, October 10, 2025, OIC Biago emphasized the importance of community engagement and partnership in the fight against drugs.

He said: “We want to partner with CEIO to carry on the message of prevention. Our function is not only to respond and arrest drug traffickers, but also to take care of victims.”

This approach, he said, recognizes that addressing drug abuse requires a multifaceted approach that involves not just law enforcement but also support for those affected by drugs.

According to him, the LDEA has established several new programs and services aimed at preventing drug abuse and supporting those affected by it, including a hotline for reporting drug-related issues, a whistle-blower protection service, and a reward system for information leading to drug busts.

Additionally, the agency plans to establish awareness clubs in high schools to educate students about the dangers of drug abuse.

Biago called on the community to support the agency’s efforts, saying, “We depend on the public, because if you don’t tell us, we will not know.”

He assured citizens that the agency is committed to taking action against those involved in drug trafficking and abuse. The LDEA’s efforts to build trust with the community are crucial in the fight against drugs.

The LDEA Officer-in-Charge emphasized that the fight against drugs should be a non-partisan issue.

He asserted that in the fight against drugs, “we should put politics into it. This is not a party issue, it’s not who did what, let’s fight it with unity. This approach recognizes that drug abuse is a national problem that requires a collective response.”

The LDEA is working with other agencies, including the Ministry of Youth and Sport and the Ministry of Gender, to establish rehabilitation centers in Montserrado and other counties, Biago said, indicating further that the agency is also seeking to identify areas where drugs are being sold and used, with a view to taking action against those involved.

The LDEA’s new initiatives demonstrate the agency’s commitment to tackling the growing drug problem in Liberia.

With the support of the community and other stakeholders, the agency is confident that it can make a significant impact in the fight against drugs.