CPS, MRU Conference – Partnering to Combat Drugs and Substance Abuse

Partner organizations of the Civil Peace Service, Mano River (CPS – MRU) from Liberia and Sierra Leone have concluded a conference with a commitment to combating Drugs and Substance Abuse in Liberia and Sierra Leone.  

The Mano River Conference is an annual partnership meeting between Bread for the World partners in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Held from October 28 to November 1, 2024, in Monrovia, Liberia, the meeting was held under the theme, “Working in Partnership to Combat Drugs and Substance Abuse in Liberia and Sierra Leone, to Build Resilient Communities in the Mano River Union.” 

Over 70 partners from eighteen civil society organizations from Liberia and Sierra Leone, and national and international partners attended the meeting. CPS Liberia Network Coordinator Madam Decontee E. George gave an official welcome statement and overview of the conference during a formal and elaborate opening on 29 October 2024. She said participants had come to add their voices to ensure they were part of the solution to the issue of drugs and substance abuse in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

“High on the agenda of the CPS-MRU conference is the issue of drugs and substance abuse in Liberia and Sierra Leone. In observance of the International Day of Peace held in September 2024, the two countries celebrated the day with a specific focus on drugs and substance abuse.”

“The focus is on young people, and we are looking at the best for them and our countries.” She called on participants to give the issue of drugs and substance abuse serious attention, referring to it as an unseen enemy, which could affect anyone.

“Through unity, we are stronger. The conference, Madam George said is to recommit CPS partner organizations to redefine their strategies, and see how their work aligns with combating drugs and substance abuse in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Delivering the keynote address, a youth development specialist and founder of the Alliance for Peace, Justice and Human Rights, Ambassador Abigal Karneh said drugs and substance abuse have left scars in homes and communities in the two countries, as there are many communities with broken homes. “We cannot achieve an agenda of peace when we have broken homes and communities.” She declared. Ambassador Karneh urged participants to build a united front, calling on the two countries to work together to fight the issue of drugs and substance abuse.

“There is a shared urgency, and it is a call to action against the invincible war that is ravaging our homes, communities, and children.” She said.

“We are losing a generation to an epidemic that does not discriminate, whether wealthy or poor, we are all vulnerable.” She called on policymakers to join the fight against drugs and substance abuse as it is a matter of national emergency.

In special remarks, Sybille Frederes of Bread for the World said the last two years and of recent, the world has been characterized by political and health crises, meaning there are enormous challenges for Liberia, Sierra Leone, and also the whole world.

Madam Frideres noted that many of her colleagues at Bread for the World are committed to “reminding people of our international obligations and various lobbying activities including CPS programs to be able to provide sufficient funds again in the future.” She encouraged MRU partner organizations that despite dwindling funds, and the associated financial restrictions on our important work, let us work for solutions together.”

She called for combined solutions to counter the worldwide trend, deal with the situation as well as possible, and continue to support and exchange ideas with each other and counter the worldwide trend of authoritarian governments, hate speech, and self-centeredness.

“Let us stay strong together and continue our path of peace, exchange reconciliation and tolerance together.” She concluded.

Madam Adenike Cole, National Coordinator CPS Sierra Leone reminded participants about the porosity of the borders for the two countries, which she said, makes the issue of drugs and substance in Liberia and Sierra Leone a real issue. She called for the engagement of authorities to ensure that drugs and substance abuse stops, noting “Young people are assets and without them, the future is bleak.”

CPS partners also discussed country context analysis, made presentations on drugs and substance abuse, held workgroup discussions on the context analysis, and discussions on how partner organizations are meandering their way given the context.

 The key during the conference was a panel/fishbowl discussion on drugs and substance abuse, experiences, approaches, what can be done, and what has been done to help remedy the situation. Panelists from the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), and CPS Liberia and Sierra Leone Networks participated in the discussion.