Africa-Press – Liberia. A newly launched Liberia organization says it joining the fight against dangerous substances and other vices that are destroying the country’s youths.
The Executive Director of a newly established faith-based organization, Brain Lights International, Pastor Kelvin Volar, says the government is losing the fight against drug addiction and abuse because of failure to seek spiritual guidance.
“The only way we can win as a country in the fight against drug addiction and abuse is to take a drastic spiritual approach to tackle the menace,” he recommends.
Pastor Volar made the observation at the official launch of Brian Lights International, a faith-based institution, during a colorful program held at the SKD sports stadium in Paynesville outside Monrovia at the weekend.
“Brain Lights International was established to fight against societal problems; we can’t sit and watch our whole generation being swept away by drugs,” he says.
According to him, the fundamental basis for the establishment of the institution is to help young people who are beset by drug addiction and abuse, prostitution, teenage pregnancy, and mental health problems, among others.
Pastor Volar adds that Brain Lights intends to focus its attention on drug prevention, rehabilitation, and spiritual counseling.
“Our mission is to see a society that empowers young people with strong morals that support young people to be useful and influential leaders.”
One of the key pillars is instilling godliness in young people, he says, noting that nowadays, our younger generation does not possess the spirit of godliness, which leads to their taking drugs.
“If the young people are into church activities, we won’t experience the huge number of disadvantaged youths or zogoes, as we always call them,” he notes.
According to him, 31% of school-going children are taking drugs, as per a survey carried out by the Ministry of Health. He puts the teenage pregnancy rate at 34% based on a 2024 survey by the Ministry of Health.
He attributes most of the country’s problems to evil leaders. “We want to fight the issue of corruption, using the word of God; once a person has the fear of God within them, they will not get involved in unholy acts.”
In remarks, the Deputy Director for Leeward at the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Ms. Precious Rue, extols Brain Lights International for the thought of embarking on such a journey.
“This organization launch is welcoming and timely; we at the LDEA can’t fight drugs alone; it’s a national emergency that needs to be considered by every citizen,” Ms. Rue rallies.
She laments that many of our young people are in the streets, and it’s heartbreaking to see such a situation, so the launch of the organization to assist the government in the fight is timely.
She calls Pastors, imams, teachers, and parents to take at least a few minutes of their time in worship to talk about drugs and their effect on society, emphasizing that.
“Talking about drugs shouldn’t be a secret anymore; let’s talk about it everywhere.”
She reveals that, at times, LDEA officers feel weakened enough to wear their own uniforms. “We feel like not much is being done, especially with the increase of disadvantaged youths that are being affected by drugs, but we will continue to do our best to minimize the menace.”
Meanwhile, the Board Chair of Brian Light International, Pastor Abraham Kaizolu, says unless there is proper training, rehabilitation, and spiritual counseling for youth addicted to drugs, there will be social tension in the country.
“The issue about drug abuse is a global fight that the entire world is confronted with, but for Liberia, it is more than serious.”
“Today we gather here to make public our efforts and intention to fight drug abuse; this has so many clauses”, says Pastor Kaizolu, board chair of Brian Light International.
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