Taking a firm step towards action on the rising pattern of drug abuse in Liberia, the Multisectoral Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse formally launched the Community Anti-Drug Action Team (CADAT). It has been designed to mobilize local resources and local action against substance abuse.
CADAT is a mass movement which has a multidisciplinary team of stakeholders comprising members of local government, youth and women’s groups, religious leaders, health workers, and police officers. The collaborative effort focuses on establishing a strong support system that gives power to the people to exercise an active role in tackling the problems of drugs.
The project is supported by two influential slogans: “CADAT: Your Voice, Your Power, Your Community — Together Against Drugs and Substance Abuse,” and “CADAT — Strong Communities, Drug-Free Liberia!” The slogans encapsulate the culture of togetherness and determination CADAT aims to foster in communities all over the country.
CADAT membership is organized to provide complete representation, and 15 committed members from different sectors:
– 2 from Local Government
– 1 representative from a Women’s Group
– 2 Youth Representatives (1 male and 1 female)
– 2 Religious Leaders
– 1 Community Leader
– 1 representative from the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA)
– 1 representative from the Liberia National Police (LNP)
– 1 representative from the Community
– 3 representatives from Civil Society, Advocacy Organizations, or Social Workers
– 1 Health Practitioner
Terms of Reference (ToR) for CADAT enumerate some key tasks to be accomplished for carrying out community awareness and outreach. They are:
– Public awareness of the risk of drug abuse and whistleblowing
– Reporting hotlines for drug abuse (LDEA: 0777133333; MOH: 0773677740 / 0881950663)
– Supporting reporting of drug offenses to respective authorities
– Assisting arrests and intervention with support from law enforcement agencies
– Rerouting drug users to treatment
– Reporting drug pushers
– Assisting in the enforcement of national drug policy strategies at the local level
In order to properly implement, the following will be conducted:
1. Establish CADAT structure with local leadership.
2. Coordinate with the Steering Committee once the leadership has been identified.
3. Provide orientation and training to CADAT members.
4. Identify potential landlords who may be harboring drug dealers.
5. Set up toll-free lines for confidential filing.
6. Provide technical and logistical assistance to CADAT activities.
The Multisectoral Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse emphasized its utmost commitment to a drug-free Liberia. The movement is endorsed by the Republic of Liberia stamps, which identify it as an official movement and indicate the government’s support of this best effort.
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