From Addiction to Aspiration: How a Joint UN Initiative Helped A Young Lady Reclaim Her Future

Across Liberia, young people affected by drug and substance abuse are reclaiming their lives through rehabilitation, psychosocial support, education, and skills development initiatives supported by the Government of Liberia and the United Nations. Through a joint effort aimed at strengthening social cohesion and empowering marginalized youth, many young people are finding renewed hope and opportunities to build productive futures. 

One of those young people is Shirley*, a 23-year-old survivor of substance addiction whose journey from hardship to aspiration demonstrates the transformative impact of coordinated investments in youth empowerment and recovery. 

“Drug and substance use kills dreams and steals young people's future away. It disrupts our ability to acquire quality education and contribute to the development of our communities,” says Shirley. 

Shirley’s struggle began in 2013 when she was only ten years old. For nearly a decade, she battled addiction, survived on the streets, and frequently visited drug-use hotspots to sustain her habit. During that period, she dropped out of school and experienced homelessness. Despite repeated efforts by her family to help her, she found herself unable to break free from addiction without professional support. 

“Some days, I felt sad by seeing my peers going to school and I am not going to school. So, I tried to stop substance use but I could not stop it on my own. I needed help,” she recalls. 

A turning point came in 2022 when Shirley attended an awareness session organized by Mother of Light, a rehabilitation organization that supports young people affected by substance abuse. Through the UN Peacebuilding Fund-supported project implemented with support from UNFPA, the organization provides detoxification services, medical treatment, safe shelter, and leadership and life-skills training for at-risk youth. The initiative supports the Government of Liberia’s efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate vulnerable young people into society. 

The project forms part of a broader UN-supported approach to addressing the root causes of vulnerability among young people and promoting peace, inclusion, and social cohesion. The programme is supported through the UN Peacebuilding Fund and brings together the expertise of UNFPA, WHO, and UNICEF in partnership with national institutions. 

After three years in rehabilitation, Shirley graduated from the programme in 2025 and successfully reintegrated into her community. Her experience not only supported her recovery but also inspired her to envision a different future for herself. 

“Every day I see Grace at the rehab center, I feel like I can be like her… get educated and work to earn my own money to help myself, my family, and my community,” she explains. 

She also describes the rehabilitation centre as a safe and supportive environment where young women can focus on healing and rebuilding their confidence.

“At the Rehab Center, no one takes advantage of you as a young woman, which is important for your physical and mental health, and we are not stigmatized.” 

Today, Shirley is focused on completing her education and pursuing her long-term ambitions. Having completed her final examinations and sat the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), she is preparing to finish high school while working toward a career that will allow her to contribute to national development. 

“My immediate plan is to enroll at a teacher's training program to become a primary school teacher, so I can use the earnings from there to fund my college education,” she says. “In the longer term I want to become a journalist to professionally and ethically tell the Liberian people's story.” 

According to Grace Muenij, UNFPA At-Risk Youth Programme Partner Coordinator, addressing substance abuse requires both rehabilitation and prevention efforts.

“Drug and substance abuse is a huge problem hampering the full realization of young people reaching their fullest potential in Liberia. UNFPA’s efforts to support the recovery and rehabilitation of youth affected by drug and substance abuse is reinforced by our efforts to empower youth and communities to prevent drug and substance abuse.” 

Shirley is now giving back to her community as a volunteer peer educator at Mother of Light, where she shares her experiences with other young people and encourages them to seek support. Through her advocacy, she is helping others understand the dangers of substance abuse while demonstrating that recovery and reintegration are possible. 

Reflecting on her journey, Shirley hopes society will show greater compassion toward young people experiencing addiction and those working to rebuild their lives.

“I pray our society embodies the same degree of kindness and hospitality to every young person battling addiction and those rehabilitated like me.”