Prevalence of Drug Abuse Among Youth in Communities of Monrovia, Liberia.

Ernest Garnark Smith Jr.www.linkedin.com/in/ernest-garnark-smith-jr-08491b124

Grand Canyon University, Arizona

College of Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Post-war Liberia is currently saddled with numerous problems even as the restructuring process continues years after the prolonged civil crisis that broke out fourteen years ago. One of the pressing issues the nation is currently faced with is the prevalence of drug use amongst the youth. This is fast becoming a risk behavior among youth in rural communities in Montserrado County, Liberia. This problem spirals because a lot of young adults depend highly on these drugs and are addicted to them, hence the craving. A state of emergency can be declared based on the severe socio-economic implications of this menace on the Liberian youth; even though this might equally be a global health problem, Liberia's engulfment by the terrible menace that not only cripples the economy but destroys the potential talents and future workforce of the nation. This dilapidating crisis has many health implications that are both harmful and fatal to Liberian young adults. This study focused primarily on the youth of rural communities in Montserrado County, Liberia. As a qualitative approach-based analysis, the paper examines the extent of this prevalence and the patterns it has assumed among young adults. This worrisome trend has increased the number of out-of-school students due to their drug usage. In addition, this craving for drugs has led to mental health conditions, domestic violence, and theft.  The thrust of this research is to highlight the undeniable negative consequences of substance abuse and make recommendations on how this can be tackled in time before it escalates to a major national crisis.

Keywords: Drug abuse, Montserrado County, Liberia, Mental Health.