Liberian women are leading the charge against the country's drug crisis

MONROVIA, Liberia — Women's groups on Thursday led a protest of thousands of people against a rampant drug problem in Liberia, urging the government to declare a national emergency over the crisis and enforce stricter punishment for drug abuse.

Marching through the capital, Monrovia, with banners and flags, the demonstrators presented a petition at parliament that called for a special court for drug cases and to increase the jail term for first-degree drug-related felonies to a minimum of 20 years — currently the maximum term limit.

The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia, meanwhile, launched a public campaign on Wednesday against drug use and deployed members to carry out sensitization campaigns in communities.

One in five youths in the West African country are using illicit drugs