The Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD) has formally submitted a major policy document to the 55th Legislature titled “Legislative Proposal for the Establishment of a Statutory Institution to Lead, Coordinate, Regulate, and Strengthen Drug Prevention, Treatment, Recovery, and Rehabilitation Services in Liberia.” The submission represents a significant milestone in national efforts to address Liberia’s growing drug crisis.

During the presentation, GASD’s Director for Administration, Workteh S. Nyernie, explained that since 2018, the organization has consistently advocated for...

As the SAFE Program Manager, I am very excited to see this through. 

The Global Action For Sustainable Development (GASD) has officially launched the Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE) School-Based Intervention Program, a comprehensive initiative designed to reduce substance use among young people through prevention, early intervention, and sustained school engagement.

The SAFE Program is an evidence-based approach that strengthens three key areas within schools: school policy, prevention curriculum, and school climate. It supports schools in developing clear guidelines on substance use...

Monrovia, Liberia — The Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD) has taken a major step toward tackling substance abuse in schools with the rollout of Liberia’s first evidence-based, school-based prevention intervention.

The initiative officially began with an inception meeting bringing together the Prevention Leadership Action Team (PLAT), a diverse group comprising school administrators, PTA members, alumni representatives, students, and GASD staff. The session focused on orienting stakeholders to the program’s framework, including the Terms of Reference (TOR) and implementation...

Monrovia, Liberia – The Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD) is calling for a comprehensive audit and major reforms to Liberia’s national drug response, following the release of a detailed Independent Impact Evaluation Analysis submitted to the General Auditing Commission (GAC).

According to the GASD Executive Director, the Independent Impact Evaluation Analysis provides a comprehensive review of the progress and reported activities of the Multi-Sectoral Steering Committee (MSSC) on Drug Abuse and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) from January 2024 to June 2025.

The evaluation...

The Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD), Infoquest, Liberia Council of Church Desk in partnership with key national stakeholders, has commenced a two-day Peer Educator Training of Trainers Workshop under the Peer Education Program to Strengthen Substance Abuse Prevention Among Young People in Liberia.

The initiative is part of a broader national effort aimed at equipping youth leaders with the necessary skills, knowledge, and tools to promote drug prevention and awareness across Liberia. The program seeks to empower young people to take the lead in educating their peers on the...

Subject: Concern Over the Non–Evidence-Based Decision to Conduct Nationwide Drug Testing Among Students

As a concerned Addiction Practitioner specialized in School and Environment-Based Prevention, I wish to express my deep concern over the recent decision by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency-Ldea to conduct nationwide drug testing among students in Liberia.

This move is not evidence-based and raises serious questions about its practicality and long-term impact. If thousands of students are found positive, what will the government do next? Currently, even the identified users across the...

#SayNoToDrugsMarch

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA

A Cry to Save a Dying Generation and Protect Our Future

Mr. President,

Honorable Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Distinguished Members of the House of Representatives,

Mr. Vice President, Madame President Pro Tempore and Distinguished Members of the Senate.

It is with heavy hearts and trembling voices that we, concerned citizens and residents of the Republic of Liberia, bring this petition to you in this moment of national emergency. Our ultimate goal is to engage the Government in putting in place several measures to fully and...

GASD and Partners Host 3rd Annual Youth Policy Dialogue on Drug Prevention in Liberia

June 25, 2025, the Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD), in collaboration with its partners, successfully convened the 3rd Annual Youth Policy Dialogue on Drug Prevention in Liberia, marking the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This milestone event brought together a diverse cross-section of national stakeholders—including policymakers, public health experts, youth leaders, and civil society actors to elevate the conversation on drug prevention and youth...

GASD and Partners set to Host 3rd Annual Youth Policy Dialogue on Drug Prevention in Liberia

In commemoration of the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD), in partnership with the Youth Desk of the Liberia Council of Churches, is hosting the 3rd Annual Youth Policy Dialogue on Drug Prevention in Liberia. This landmark event serves as a vital platform to highlight the urgent need for comprehensive drug prevention strategies, grounded in evidence-based practices and tailored to Liberia’s unique social and cultural...

Global Action for Sustainable Development-GASD Launched First-Ever Evidence-Based Substance Used Disorders Prevention in Liberia. 

The Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE) School-Based Intervention Program is designed as a comprehensive, school-based prevention model that seeks to develop and enhance students’ personal, interpersonal, and drug resistance skills. It aims to introduce, implement, and sustain evidence-based substance abuse prevention initiatives in schools across Liberia through a participatory and inclusive approach that engages students, school authorities, and community...

The Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Liberia Council of Churches Youth Desk, and other key stakeholders, officially launched the Community Participation Project to Strengthen Drug Demand Reduction Intervention in Liberia. This groundbreaking initiative commenced with a two-day capacity-building workshop for over 30 community-based organizations (CBOs) from Montserrado County’s 17 districts, reaffirming a unified commitment to combat substance abuse at the grassroots level.

The project is designed to empower community structures...

Join us in reducing drug demand through evidence-based advocacy and awareness. Together, we can promote informed choices, prevent substance misuse, and build healthier, drug-free communities for a brighter future.

Today marked a significant milestone at Global Action for Sustainable Development with the successful launch of the Community Participation in Drugs Demand Reduction initiative in Liberia. This program empowered 30 participants from 30 different community-based organizations in the 17th districts in Montserrado County through capacity-building sessions.

As a National Trainer in...

As we conclude the first phase of the Universal Prevention Curriculum (UPC) ECHO-Training, I am filled with immense gratitude for the collective efforts that have made this initiative a success. Since November 4, 2024, we have worked diligently to empower 22 participants from various institutions with evidence-based strategies to address substance use challenges in our communities.

This accomplishment would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the Ministry of Health, particularly the Mental Health Unit, for their role in participant recruitment and strategic planning. I...

Monrovia— James Koryor, Executive Director of the Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD), has voiced strong criticism against the Unity Party Government for its failure to adequately address substance abuse as a national public health emergency. In an exclusive interview, Koryor expressed deep concern over the government's fragmented approach to this pressing issue, highlighting the unfulfilled promises made by the President, H.E. Joseph N. Boakai during his first State of the Nation Address in January this year.

In his address, the President acknowledged the growing substance...

La prévention de la consommation de drogue chez les jeunes conducteurs de véhicules et de motocyclettes à Goma représente une initiative cruciale pour réduire les accidents de circulation, un problème majeur dans cette ville en pleine expansion. En effet, la conduite sous l'influence de substances illicites altère considérablement les capacités cognitives et motrices des conducteurs, augmentant ainsi le risque d'accidents. Les drogues peuvent provoquer des réactions imprévisibles, une diminution de la concentration et des temps de réaction prolongés, rendant les routes de Goma particulièrement...

La phase expérimentale du programme de prévention de l'usage de drogue en milieu scolaire par les jeunes et pour les jeunes, organisée par le CNPWUD, a été un franc succès dans les dix écoles de la ville de Goma en république démocratique du Congo. Plus de 5 000 jeunes ont été sensibilisés aux dangers de la drogue, grâce à des ateliers interactifs et des discussions animées qui ont permis d'aborder les conséquences néfastes de la consommation de substances illicites. Des intervenants, incluant des professionnels de la santé et des jeunes ambassadeurs, ont partagé leurs expériences et ont...

1. Afaayo Anti Drug Abuse Initiative executive Director Afaayo Josephine launched a DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE CLUB at Kennedy Secondary School Entebbe on 14th July 2024. The club is a proactive initiative aimed at creating awareness, preventing drug abuse and promoting a healthy drug-free lifestyle among our students, foster a supportive and inclusive environment where students can make informed decisions and actively contribute to a drug free school.

In a significant step towards combating substance abuse in Liberia, the Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Federation of Liberian Youth, convened a National Stakeholder Roundtable on Substance Abuse Prevention. This one-day event, held on June 20, 2024, brought together over fifty key stakeholders from various sectors across Liberia. The assembly included government officials, civil society organizations, healthcare professionals, and community leaders, including youth and students, united under the shared goal of...

Hello team! How our preps for next month's Greece event unfolding? 

Overview:

The Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD) commends President Joseph Boakai for his unwavering commitment to tackle substance abuse, declaring it a national public health emergency. GASD acknowledges the gravity of the situation and emphasizes the urgent need for a specialized and dedicated approach to combat drug abuse effectively and efficiently. However, to ensure the success of President Boakai's administration in this fight against substance abuse, GASD puts forth the following comprehensive policy recommendations:

1. Reform of Liberia Drug Laws:

GASD...