Liberia’s was on Tramadol and Shisha: A Ban alone will not save our youth. Says Dr. Marie Scott Wilson an human right activist.

For Immediate Release
August 23, 2025

Liberia’s War on Tramadol & Shisha: A Ban Alone Will Not Save Our Youth

Monrovia, Liberia – Global Human Rights Advocate and Social Justice Activist, Proph. Dr. Marie Scott Wilson, PhD, has issued a heartfelt call to the Government of Liberia regarding its recent ban on Tramadol and Shisha.

Dr. Wilson welcomed the government’s recognition of the grave dangers these substances pose but warned that a ban by itself is not a solution. Without a proper plan for prevention, treatment, and reintegration, the policy risks leaving thousands of young Liberians vulnerable.

“Tramadol and shisha are not just party drugs or social habits. They are destroying lives, breaking families, and eroding the very fabric of our nation,” Dr. Wilson said.
“But if government only bans them—without helping those already addicted, without educating the public, and without providing alternatives for struggling business owners—the problem will not disappear. It will simply go underground, harder to control, and far more dangerous.”

The Hidden Risks of a Ban Without Solutions
• Addicted citizens may be criminalized instead of treated, worsening stigma.
• Underground markets will quickly rise to meet demand, making regulation impossible.
• Small business owners who survive on shisha lounges risk being pushed into poverty overnight without support.

Building Real Solutions, Not Just Restrictions

Dr. Wilson is urging the Boakai administration and the Ministry of Health to take a more balanced, human-centered approach—one that combines law enforcement with compassion, healing, and opportunity.

Her recommendations include:

1. Treatment & Rehabilitation Centers – Safe spaces where people can seek help without fear of punishment.
2. Mass Public Education – Outreach through schools, churches, mosques, and communities to teach the dangers of drug abuse.
3. Alternative Livelihoods – Support for small business owners transitioning from shisha sales, through training, microloans, and new opportunities.
4. Phased Restrictions – Using taxation, licensing, and gradual regulation rather than a sudden blanket ban.
5. Law with Compassion – Target traffickers and profiteers, but treat users as patients in need of care—not criminals to be discarded.

A Human Rights Approach to Saving Lives

“This fight must never be about punishment alone—it must be about saving lives,” Dr. Wilson emphasized. “Liberia needs strong laws, yes, but we also need stronger policies that put people first. The government must not only ban harmful substances—it must help our youth recover, reintegrate, and reclaim their future.”

She urged the Ministry of Health to turn the moratorium into a national reintegration program, ensuring that Liberia tackles the crisis with a strategy that restores dignity, protects families, and truly saves the nation’s young people.

✍️ Proph. Dr. Marie Scott Wilson, PhD
🌍 Global Human Rights Advocate | ⚖️ Social Justice Activist | 🎓 PhD – Christian Counseling (Psychosocial Specialization) | 💼 Licensed Financial Professional (LFP) | Voice for the Voiceless