Published: November 13, 2026
MONROVIA — The New Life Recovery Center has appealed to the Liberian government for financial and institutional support to strengthen rehabilitation programs for drug-affected youths, citing challenges facing institutions providing treatment, vocational training and reintegration services across the country.
The center’s executive director, Jefferson Knight, made the appeal over the weekend after seven recovering youths were reintegrated into their communities.
Knight said government intervention would help rehabilitation centers expand their operations, improve treatment services and provide recovering youths with skills and opportunities to rebuild their lives.
Speaking in an interview shortly after the reintegration ceremony, Knight said rehabilitation institutions in several countries receive government assistance to address drug addiction and its consequences.
He urged the Liberian government to consider adopting similar measures to support institutions working to rehabilitate disadvantaged young people affected by substance abuse.
According to Knight, many rehabilitation centers continue to face financial and operational challenges that affect their ability to provide adequate treatment, counseling, vocational training and other essential services.
He said sustained government assistance would enable rehabilitation institutions to strengthen their capacity and improve services for individuals recovering from drug addiction.
Knight also proposed a national conference involving government officials, rehabilitation institutions, civil society organizations, religious leaders and other stakeholders to discuss challenges confronting institutions providing rehabilitation and welfare services.
He said the proposed conference would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to develop recommendations and establish a coordinated national approach to drug rehabilitation and the reintegration of recovering individuals.
The New Life Recovery Center executive director disclosed that the institution has successfully reintegrated more than 2,000 young people into society since its establishment.
He attributed the center’s achievements largely to support from the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and financial contributions from parents who have assisted its rehabilitation programs.
Knight said the reintegration of seven additional youths over the weekend forms part of the center’s continuing efforts to help individuals recovering from substance addiction return to their families and communities.
He emphasized the importance of providing recovering youths with opportunities for vocational training and other support services to facilitate their reintegration into society.
According to Knight, rehabilitation efforts require continued assistance beyond treatment, including family support and opportunities for recovering individuals to develop skills and become economically independent.
He maintained that government support would help institutions address challenges associated with maintaining rehabilitation facilities, providing adequate care and sustaining programs for drug-affected youths.
Knight further called for stronger collaboration between the government, faith-based organizations, rehabilitation institutions and other stakeholders involved in addressing substance abuse.
He said such collaboration would help coordinate rehabilitation services and strengthen efforts to support vulnerable young people.
The New Life Recovery Center is among the institutions providing rehabilitation and reintegration services to individuals affected by drug addiction in Liberia.
Its latest reintegration exercise involved seven recovering youths who were returned to their communities after participating in the center’s rehabilitation program.
Knight reiterated his appeal for the government to provide financial and institutional assistance to rehabilitation centers, saying additional support would enable them to expand treatment, vocational training and reintegration services.
He also urged relevant stakeholders to support the proposed national conference to discuss the challenges facing rehabilitation institutions and identify measures to improve services for drug-affected youths across Liberia.
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