Published: February 3, 2025
Paynesville – The first all-female graduates of the Center for Rehabilitation and Reintegration (CFRR) have vowed never to return to the life of addiction that once condemned, devalued, and demoralized them for years.
Over the weekend, CFRR, a rehab center established in 2021 by Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, officially graduated its fifth batch. This time, all the graduates were women who successfully completed the rehabilitation and detoxification process.
As part of their rehabilitation and reintegration into society, the young women also received psychological and medical support, along with vocational training to help them start a new life upon returning to their respective communities.
The graduation ceremony, held on Friday, January 31, 2025, in the City of Paynesville near Monrovia, was attended by parents of the graduates, foreign guests, government officials, community members, local leaders, and former CFRR graduates.
The graduates shared the painful experiences they endured for years—some for over a decade—suffering from substance abuse and living in isolation.
“We’re tired of the life we lived before. We were condemned, demoralized, and had lost our families’ respect and trust,” said Miss Jameslu Tucolon.
She urged her fellow graduates to remain steadfast in their commitment to staying clean, emphasizing the severe consequences of relapse.
Another graduate, Nathalia Balleh, recalled how their dignity was exploited for small amounts of cash by men in the ghettos as they struggled to sustain their addiction.
“As we re-enter society and face the pain we caused our families, we must maintain a positive mindset, bring hope and joy to our families and communities, and show society that we are now changed individuals who can be trusted again,” she declared.
During the ceremony, former graduates representing the third and fourth batches, mostly male, praised Senator Dillon for giving them a second chance at life. They also encouraged their newly rehabilitated colleagues to resist the many temptations that come with reintegration.
“The real challenge is not in here; it’s out there. But if you remain focused and tell yourself, ‘I can’t go back to that life,’ you will achieve your goals,” one former graduate advised.
He also urged parents and society at large to refrain from discriminating against rehabilitated youths.
“If you continue to judge our friends based on their past, you are sending a message that they are not welcome in the community,” he added.
Ashley Somie, a graduate of the fourth batch, echoed similar sentiments, describing CFRR as a home that has restored trust between families and their rehabilitated loved ones.
“We have been through this before, and we know the struggles of reintegration. But I strongly believe that all of you will overcome those challenges,” he said.
Senator Dillon Reaffirms Support for CFRR
Meanwhile, Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, the chief financier of CFRR, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the center in its mission to rehabilitate and reintegrate drug-addicted youths.
“Today is not about me, and it should not be. All thanks go to the clients,” Dillon stated.
He revealed that out of 30 clients recruited for the program, some had escaped during the rehabilitation process and returned to the streets.
Dillon also addressed public concerns about his salary allocation, clarifying that the funds he once pledged to return to Montserrado County are now being directed toward the rehabilitation center.
“When I was campaigning, I promised the people of Montserrado County that I would take only $5,000 from my salary and return the rest to the county. After establishing this rehab center in 2021, I redirected that money toward maintaining this institution and rehabilitating our vulnerable youth,” he explained.
He emphasized that this statement should serve as a final clarification for those questioning his financial contributions.
“This is where my salary is going. I will not explain this again. If you, the graduates, and your parents—who are the direct beneficiaries—cannot serve as ambassadors for this initiative, then I won’t justify myself any further,” he asserted.
Dillon further noted that CFRR recruits clients regardless of their political or social backgrounds, highlighting that his initiative is purely humanitarian.
He also lauded Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence for advocating the inclusion of female addicts in rehabilitation. He acknowledged that she had provided a facility in Grand Bassa County to increase the number of youths benefiting from the program.
Rep. Samuel Enders Calls for Montserrado Legislative Caucus Support
Speaking at the event, Montserrado County Electoral District #6 Representative and Chair of the Montserrado County Legislative Caucus, Samuel Enders, commended Senator Dillon for rescuing what he described as a “drug-infested community.”
“In Liberia, we don’t know how to appreciate people because everything is about politics,” Enders remarked.
While pledging to personally contribute monthly to the center’s operations, he also vowed to lobby the Montserrado County Legislative Caucus to provide additional financial and technical support.
Enders pointed out that Dillon has consistently rejected personal compensation from the government. However, he emphasized that the legislative caucus should support CFRR because its mission is not politically motivated but serves the interests of the Liberian people.
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