Drug and substance abuse is a societal problem that negatively impacts young people’s ability to make informed choices about their lives and has implications for their development.
As part of UNFPA’s mission to ensure that every young person is empowered to realize their fullest potential, UNFPA in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), national institutions and local community-based organizations (CBOs) has developed a Drug and Substance Abuse Prevention Manual. The development of the manual is part of UN and Government of Liberia Joint Programme “Enhancing Social Cohension Through Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Marginalised Youth in Liberia” funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.
The draft manual, when completed, will provide comprehensive drug and substance abuse prevention tips, support mechanisms for persons affected by drug and substance abuse, and basic behavioral change communication messages. The draft drug and substance abuse prevention manual also outlines the health, social and economic implications of drug and substance abuse.
To ensure that the manual is consistent with local realities and contains clear and understandable messages, the input of young people into its development is crucial. Against this premise, UNFPA in Liberia and its partners embarked on pre-testing the draft manual with in-and-out of school adolescents and youth.
“The perspectives of the young people on this manual are significantly relevant, given that the manual is designed for their use. We do not want this manual to be a mere document laying down somewhere. We want it to be an actionable working tool that is frequently referred to by young people. So, their input into its development is relevant,” Leonard Kamugisha, Deputy Representative, UNFPA in Liberia said.
The programme has a duration of three years (2023-2026) with sustainability commitments to continue its mandate shared among the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Education and national youth institutions like the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), Liberia National Students Union (LINSU) and the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). The pre-testing of the manual is taking took place in schools and communities in Grand Bassa and Montserrado counties.
“This manual is going to be helpful. It is like a roadmap to end drug and substance abuse in our community. It teaches us how to protect ourselves and peers against drug and substance abuse and it gives us a guide to help our peers who are affected by drug and substance abuse instead of discriminating against them”, Prince Paye, a student at the St. Peter’s Lutheran School in Monrovia said.
UNFPA in Liberia is excited by the profound contribution of young people, validating the content of the manual. They showed willingness to join the advocacy and awareness raising against drug and substance abuse, indicating a success for our inclusive and holistic approach to tackling drug and substance abuse in Liberia.
