Pubdate: Tue, 07 Dec 2004
Source: Analyst, The (Liberia)
Copyright: 2004 Analyst Liberia
Contact:  http://www.analystliberia.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3511
Author: Ora Garway
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUGS DESTROY THINKING ABILITY

Catholic Director Cautions Youths

The Director of the Catholic Youth Secretariat, Andrews Nimely has
cautioned youths against the use of dangerous substances, including
narcotic drugs.

Mr. Nimely spoke at the first graduation exercise of the Student Aid
Liberia (SAL) Inc., an institution involved with drug abuse
counseling, last Saturday when he served as keynote speaker.

He said drugs are dangerous to the human person, destroys man's
ability to think correctly, properly and effectively in making sound
and valid judgment.

The Youth Director at the Catholic Secretariat said his experience
during the disarmament process in Bomi indicates that many of the
young people lived on drugs, noting that the common commodity one
could find amidst economic difficulty was marijuana which, he said was
sold for L$100 per roll.

At the time, he said he also observed that some of then youths around
could smoke three to five rolls per day, and added that this was
affecting their behavioral pattern.

The Executive Director of SAL, Robert B. Kutu Akoi, Sr. said the
institution's priority is to support efforts to address the needs of
Children, especially those trying to cope with violence, neglect and
sexual abuse.

"In the 14-year old civil crisis, nearly all of the warlords used
drugs to influence many young combatants," Mr. Kutu Akoi said.

He noted that if Liberia wants to be free from violence and drugs
related crimes, "We must start to invest in this worthy venture of
prioritizing the youth, and graduating from war to peace." The SAL
Executive Director said in the bid of his organization to disabuse the
minds of the youngsters of substance abuses, it has graduated 131
students under his program.

He then challenged the graduates to be of good examples of SALO,
saying "You cannot talk against drugs when you bare engaged into it."

Promoting Players Is My Target - Says Fallah Johnson One of Liberia's
international soccer stars, Fallah Johnson is said to be engaged in
efforts aimed at promoting Liberian players in the Asian nation of
Indonesia.

Speaking to The Analyst via telephone, player Johnson said there was
need for Liberian players to be exposed to the outside world.

According him the country was blessed with many youthful talents but
only needed support.

" This is the time that we all try to help our young players who
really want to see themselves at the professional level" players
Johnson said.

The Liberian right foot back further said that when Liberian players
are exposed, it would be of help to the national soccer team, Lone
Star.

According to him, since he began the campaign, over 10 Liberian
players have so far been assisted.

" If we must build a good national team for this country, then we need
to begin helping our young players to improve their careers," he noted.

Player Johnson also pointed out that he would continue to strive for
the good of Liberian players in order to put them on par with order
players in Africa and the world at large.

Player Johnson who is also playing in Indonesia further disclosed that
Liberian players in the country last Friday engaged the Indonesian
National Team in friendly match. The match, he added was requested by
the Indonesian F.A following the Liberians splendid performances
against their Cameroonian and Nigerian counterparts.

The Lone Star defender who said he served as technical director during
the friendly, said the Liberian players lost to the Indonesians 2-0.

Despite the defeat, Johnson said the Liberian side put up a superb
performance at the 60,000 capacitated national stadium in Jakarta.

Many sport analysts view the more by Player Johnson as great and
encouraging for the promotion of Liberian players in that Country.

They said such would help significantly in marketing Liberian Players
who are in Indonesia in order to get new contact.
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MAP posted-by: Derek