“We Are Tire”               Disadvantaged Youths Call for Rescue from Drug-Addicted Life

By: Jeremiah Sackie Cooper Gmail:jeremiahcooper105@gmail.com

Monrovia – In a heartfelt plead for redemption, Velme Port and Mohamed Kanneh, both victims of drug addiction, have come forward seeking assistance to break free from the vicious cycle that has ensnared them for decades.

Velme and Kanneh, residents of the Pennoh building adjacent to the Center Street Graveyard in Monrovia, have endured harrowing struggles with drug addiction since their youth.

On April 5, 2024, at approximately 5:14 PM, Velme Port took the courageous step of sharing his story, shedding light on the torment he and Kanneh have faced.

Recalling his descent into addiction, Velme Port revealed how peer pressure and the influence of his closest friends led him astray during his high school days.

 “I willingly accepted, disregarding advice from my parents and family members,” he confessed. “I was subsequently expelled from my parents’ home and felt that I was on the right path.”

Similarly, Mohamed Kanneh’s journey into addiction began after his high school graduation in Grand Bassa County.

Influenced by friends, he found himself ensnared in a dangerous initiation ritual that introduced him to the world of narcotics.

 “My first time inhaling drugs, I was confused and felt like I was in another world. My perception was completely distorted,” he recounted tearfully.

Both Port and Kanneh, now residing near the Palm Grove Cemetery, have been surviving by collecting garbage in central Monrovia. 

However, they yearn for a chance at redemption, expressing regret over wasted years and missed opportunities.

Velme Port, a graduate of Isaac A. David’s Memorial School, now sees a glimmer of hope in the form of rehabilitation and vocational training, particularly in carpentry.

While, Mohamed Kanneh appeals to the Liberian government and compassionate individuals for intervention to break free from the grip of addiction.

In their plea for assistance, both individuals have provided their contact information, hoping for a lifeline to pull them out of the abyss of drug addiction. They can be reached at +231770537571.

Their stories serve as a stark reminder of the pervasive issue of drug addiction among Liberian youth and the urgent need for comprehensive support systems to address this crisis.

 As they reach out for help, their resilience and determination offer a ray of hope amidst the darkness of addiction.

On June 30, 2022 Liberia and the United Nations launched a US$13.9 Million national fund drive in support of a programme for the rehabilitation and empowerment of At-Risk Youth in Liberia.

 The programme aims to provide rehabilitation, skills training, social integration, and employment opportunities for At-Risk youth across the country.

According to Julius Mature, any programme directed at helping young people get off narcotic drugs cannot be successful with the current drug laws of Liberia.

To  address this situation, On Nov. 10, 2022, The plenary of the Liberian Senate passed into law the ‘Controlled Drug and Substances Act of 2014’’.