The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament) has intensified its regional campaign against drug abuse and mental health challenges with a fresh awareness drive scheduled for August 4 and 8, in Monrovia, Liberia.

The initiative, according to the ECOWAS Parliament, is part of a broader regional effort to address what it describes as “a growing public health and social crisis” facing young people across West Africa.

“This campaign is aimed at alerting all stakeholders to the urgent and escalating threats posed by substance abuse and mental health disorders in our region,” a statement from the ECOWAS Parliament noted.

The Monrovia campaign follows earlier engagements held in Conakry, Guinea, and Freetown, Sierra Leone, in June 2025. The current outreach will involve a delegation of ECOWAS Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff who are expected to engage with a cross-section of national actors.

“We will be meeting with ministerial representatives, health experts, youth in recovery, civil society groups, and local authorities to foster a coordinated response,” the Parliament added.

Field visits to specialized rehabilitation and treatment centers are also planned as part of the mission’s objectives.

The ECOWAS Parliament emphasized that this campaign is in line with its mandate to promote regional integration while safeguarding the well-being of citizens, especially young people.

“A resilient and united West Africa cannot be achieved without addressing the mental and physical health challenges faced by our youth,” the statement concluded.