Monrovia, Liberia - Liberia’s Vice President Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor Monday, on June 3, 2019, received in audience the Bishop of the Maronite Catholic Eparchy and Founder of a Non-Governmental Organization, “Oum el Nour” Liberia Inc., Bishop Guy Paul Noujaim.

“Oum el Nour Liberia Inc., with translation in English, “Mother of Light” is a program that seeks to prevent and treat substance abusers as well as help them overcome drugs addiction through empowerment.

Speaking when she received Bishop Noujaim, accompanied by officials of the World Lebanese Cultural Union, VP Howard-Taylor welcomed the Bishop and delegation to her office while hailing him for initiating such program in Liberia.

She thanked the Bishop and his partners for the initiative, stressing the need to replicate it in public offices, schools and other areas with the aim of discouraging drugs addiction among young people.

“Drug addiction is a pervasive national problem that needs a stronger program of this kind”VP Howard-Taylor told the visiting Bishop and delegation.

The Liberian Vice President assured the Bishop of her fullest commitment to working with the charity organization in helping to address the malaise of drug addiction in Liberia.

VP Howard-Taylor according to a release from the office of the Vice President described as awful the weakness in the laws on the use of drugs in Liberia classifying it as a major challenge, for which she stressed a need for appropriate amendments to such law.

Earlier, Bishop Guy Paul Noujam offered special prayers for the Liberian first female Vice President and the country’s leaders for God’s mercy, wisdom and guidance during in these crucial times in the country.

Mr. Ahmed Wazni, thePresident of the World Lebanese Culture Unionin Liberia , who accompanied the Bishop provided an overview of the program which he noted is being implemented in three phases- prevention, Rehabilitation and Integration.

Mr. Wazni thanked the Government for the cooperation given to the program so far, referencing the provision of a 30-acre of land for the erection of the project edifice in Liberia.

He called on the Vice President to encourage business institutions in the country to get involved with the implementation of the program which targets hundreds of young people across the country.

He assured that Oum el Nour, being established thru direct sponsorship ofthe Lebanese community in Liberia, remains committed to the rehabilitation of substance abusers, lamenting that drug abuse is pervasive in the country’s youth population.