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ADNews-Monrovia: In the heart of Monrovia, where addiction has claimed too many futures, a powerful movement is emerging—one built on redemption, resilience, and hope. This is the story of Min. Anita Lady Piso, a woman who overcame the grip of addiction to become a Gospel artist and mentor. It is also the story of a government grappling with a crisis that has left countless young people lost in graveyards and abandoned buildings. Together, they illustrate both the struggle and the progress in Liberia’s ongoing fight against drug abuse.
Contributing Reporter; Fredrick Kumeh – Fredrickkumeh24@gmail.com
A Life Reclaimed
Min. Anita Lady Piso was once just another statistic—an individual whose life had been consumed by addiction. Born into a troubled childhood, she faced abandonment by her father and the loss of her family’s home. A toxic relationship led her into drug dealing, which spiraled into substance abuse and full-blown dependency.
“For two years, I slept in a graveyard,” Anita recalls. “To feed my addiction, I did things I never imagined.”
Throughout her darkest moments, Anita’s mother never gave up on her. She tirelessly searched Monrovia’s ghettos, holding up a picture of her lost daughter in the hope of finding her. For five years, Anita was trapped in darkness, lost to drugs and despair. But eventually, a spark of hope appeared.
Music as a Lifeline
In 2021, a talent competition called The Ghettos Got Talent, spearheaded by Liberian-American Destor Richardson, aimed to uplift young people battling addiction. Anita, then a struggling addict, stepped on stage and delivered a raw, emotional freestyle rap. The performance went viral, and for the first time, she was seen not as a lost cause, but as a talent worth saving.
With the help of a rehabilitation center, Anita fought through withdrawal and relapses. Slowly, she rebuilt her life—earning a certificate in Interior Decoration, embracing her faith, and discovering a new purpose: helping others escape addiction.
“There’s always hope,” Anita says. “If I can change, so can they.”
Today, Min. Anita Lady Piso is a celebrated Gospel artist, using music to inspire and minister to those still trapped in addiction. Her songs, including Piso Too Much and The Lost Soul, are now streaming worldwide. But more than her music, Anita is also a mentor, personally guiding ten individuals on their journey to recovery.
A Nation’s Struggle Against Addiction
Anita’s story is a powerful testament to the power of second chances, but for the thousands still trapped in addiction, the road to recovery remains uncertain. Liberia’s drug crisis has reached alarming levels. According to a 2022 government census, over 20% of young people are using drugs, with substances like kush, cocaine, and trauma doll devastating communities.
Dr. Moses Ziah, Director of Mental Health at the Ministry of Health, acknowledges the gravity of the crisis but insists that the government is taking action.
“We are doing everything possible to move these young people from the streets into treatment centers,” he says. “But rehabilitation is only the first step. Reintegration is just as important.”
Through partnerships with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Gender, and international organizations, over 120 young people successfully completed rehabilitation programs in 2024. A new facility in Bensonville is under renovation, aiming to provide both treatment and vocational training to ensure that recovering addicts have opportunities beyond the streets.
However, Liberia still lacks a comprehensive national drug rehabilitation program. “As of 2023, we don’t have a nationwide strategy to combat addiction,” Dr. Ziah admits. “Most of our programs rely on private partnerships due to limited resources.”
A Call for Change
Despite these challenges, hope remains. Min. Anita Lady Piso and other change-makers continue to push for greater action. She calls on the Liberian government and humanitarian organizations to invest more in rehabilitation programs and support grassroots initiatives.
“The ghettos are filled with talent—musicians, artists, thinkers—people who could contribute to Liberia’s future if only given the chance,” she emphasizes.
Her journey proves that recovery is possible, but for Liberia to turn the tide against addiction, it will take more than individual resilience. It will take a national commitment to saving lives—one-second chance at a time.
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