Liberia: Drugs Clearance to Become Prerequisite for Employment Nationwide

The fight against drugs is gradually gaining momentum as major stakeholders, including the Legislative and Executive branches of the government, are making significant strides in minimizing or eliminating the menace from the country.

The House of Representatives has embarked on an audacious move that would ensure that everyone is subjected to a drug test before gaining employment, admission, and enrollment at public and private entities.

It is against this backdrop that members of the Lower House have unanimously voted for the Executive branch of government, through its Steering Committee on the combat against illicit substances, to require a Drugs Clearance Certificate for employment, admissions, and enrollment in both public and private sectors.

House Chief Clerk Mildred Siryon, was instructed by the leadership of the Lower House to convey the directive from the House’s Plenary to the committee, and by extension, the office of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.

The House’s decision aligns with Section 14.101 of the new Drugs Law, which states that applicants seeking enrollment, employment, or admission into public institutions must obtain a drug clearance certificate. Failure to comply may result in denial of application, admission, or employment.

The law is styled: “AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 14, OFFENSES INVOLVING DANGER TO PERSON, TITLE 26, PENAL CODE, LIBERIA CODES REVISED BY ADDING THERETO SUBCHAPTER (E) UNDER THE TITLE CONTROLLED DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ACT OF 2023”

It reads: “Drug Clearance; Upon the coming into force of this revised Act, it shall be required that every applicant desire to enroll, [be] employed or admitted into a public institution shall be required to submit to obtain clearance before admission, employment or enrollment at such public institutions. It shall also be required of private institutions to institute such measures to give effect to this section. Failure to comply with this requirement shall be a valid reason for denying your application, admission, and employment.”

The Plenary’s resolution followed a communication from Representative Thomas Goshua, Chairman of the House’s War on Drugs Committee, urging action to combat substance abuse. Additionally, members of the House voted for mandatory drug testing.

On Tuesday, 27 February 2024, during the 14th-day sitting a communication from Grand Bassa County District #5 Representative Thomas Goshua, the Chairman of the House’s War on Drugs Committee known as “Committee on Drug, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration.”

Members of the House of Representatives also voted to do a drug test.

The House’s Committee on Drug, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration is a supplement to the Executive Steering Committee aimed at combating the scourge of substance abuse and drug addiction in the country.

President Boakai declared the proliferation of drugs and substance abuse as a National Health Emergency and further committed his government’s commitment to swiftly and decisively nip the problem in the bud.

Delivering his Annual Message on Monday, 29 February 2024, President Boakai declared the drug epidemic a National Health Emergency and emphasized his government's commitment to addressing substance abuse issues promptly. The Presidential steering committee, chaired by the Ministry of Health, includes relevant ministries and agencies to combat drug addiction and its impacts on Liberians, especially young people.

The committee has been working actively to address substance abuse challenges through a combination of curative and preventive measures. In a recent development, the Multi-Sector Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse announced plans to construct a national rehabilitation center for substance abuse victims and secured 1500 acres of land in Bensonville, Montserrado County, for this purpose.

Additionally, a Youth Agriculture Training Center (YATC) will be established in Bensonville to provide agricultural training for individuals undergoing rehabilitation at the center. Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto, the Chairperson of the multi-sector committee who is overseeing the efforts, stressed the importance of implementing evidence-based practices in the establishment of the rehabilitation center to effectively combat substance abuse and support individuals in their recovery journey.

Dr. Kpoto, who is also the Minister of Health, said her team is carefully considering factors such as accessibility, suitability of the location, potential impact on the community, and resources needed for the smooth running of the facility.