The Rescue Youth Alliance (REYA), a youth-led organization at the forefront of the fight against drugs in Liberia, has cautioned that a one-day rally is not enough to address the country’s worsening drug problem.
By: Sylvester Choloplay
REYA raised the alarm over the urgent need for sustained, strategic action to tackle the epidemic of addiction and mental health breakdown among Liberia’s youth.
The group, widely known for rescuing underprivileged students and advocating for youth empowerment, is participating in the August 7 “Say No to Drugs” Peaceful Awareness Rally, organized in partnership with the ECOWAS Parliament and civil society groups.
“We support the rally, but let’s be honest, marches don’t fix broken systems. The real work starts the day after. We need treatment centers, real mental health services, and job programs, not just speeches and photos,” said Margo Cooper, REYA’s president.
While the Government of Liberia has embraced the ECOWAS initiative and pledged support for the rally, REYA insists that symbolic gestures must be followed by tangible investments.
The group is calling for a national recovery strategy backed by legislation and multi-year budgeting, with a focus on rehabilitation, counseling services, drug education in schools, job creation programs for youth, stronger enforcement against traffickers, and public mental health campaigns to reduce stigma.
“Liberia’s youth are not disposable. They are not criminals, they are victims of a broken system, poverty, and neglect,” Cooper stressed, urging the government to act beyond public relations.
Since its founding in 2020, REYA has been working with school communities and youth groups, helping dozens of vulnerable students return to school through direct support, mentorship, and advocacy.
The group says it is mobilizing young people from several communities to join the August 7 march, not just to raise awareness, but to hold leaders accountable.
“We’re marching to demand reform, not just attention. This is a crisis. It deserves a crisis-level response,” Cooper declared.
REYA acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the Ministries of Health, Youth and Sports, and Gender, but emphasized the need for stronger collaboration with grassroots organizations that operate directly within communities.
