By: Jacob Kermue
Contact: 0775187091 / 0888809944
Email: jacobkermue4@gmail.com
Gbarnga, Bong County –As Liberia joins the world to commemorate the International Day Against Drugs, Bong County Attorney, Jonathan Flomo has delivered a compelling message of change to Liberia’s judiciary branch, particularly judges assigned at lower courts in the country. Atty. Flomo message comes at a time the country is battling an unprecedented rise in the trafficking and consumption of drugs and illicit substances, which has awaken calls for national efforts in eradicating the menace.
Delivering a keynote address during a one day civic engagement organized by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, Bong County Detachment, at the Dolokelen Gboveh High School Auditorium in Gbarnga, Attorney Flomo lamented that Magisterial Courts judges are often lenient in adjudicating cases involving drug suspects, something he says ‘undermines’ ‘The New Drug Law of Liberia’ in which drugs offenses as non-billable.
“Today, we aren’t just marking a date on the calendar; we’re recommitting ourselves to fighting the damaging effects of illegal drugs in our neighborhoods.” He noted. “It is time to take action against the rising drug-related crimes that are affecting lives.”
Atty. Flomo also pointed out the need for the Ministry of Justice to step up in enforcing drug laws, ensuring full implementation by all justice actors.
“Those who profit from taking advantage of others need to face quick justice” he argued. “We need a consolidated force and sectors in combating this menace mostly health, education, and law enforcement.”
According to the Bong County Attorney, reports from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated a 40% jump in drug and substance abuse in Africa over the next ten years highlighting its impact especially with youths’ daily addiction.
In Liberia, he mentioned there are around 2,500 ghettos that are often centers for drug activities warning that these places greater threats to teenagers residing in those communities with a call for swift intervention.
Meanwhile, Atty. Flomo is recommending robust implementation of drugs laws specifically at magisterial courts, which is an integral part of the ongoing fight against drugs and substance abuse, regular provision of anti-drugs education and united communities actions in apprehending alleged traffickers and users.
He also highlighted the necessity for increasing rehabilitation efforts for drug addicts in a bid to reintegrate them into the society as change makers rather than often cracking down on users without rehabilitation plans.
However, the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency is expected to on today, June 26, 2025 host a live drug destruction ceremony in Bong County as Atty. Flomo shared his hope that the flames from that event would stand for more than just a ritual but serve as a renewed vigor for combating drugs.
“May they show our strong commitment to wipe out drug use from our neighborhoods” he stated.
Amid the challenges engulfing the fight against drugs, Atty. Flomo remarks signals a renewed approach in tackling the menace which experts say is destroying the future of the world.
