Liberia Baptist Seminary opens conference on drug addiction
The Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary conference addresses drug addiction, recovery, and youth empowerment.
The Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary (LBTS) opened its Fifth International Theological Education Conference (ITEC) in Paynesville, Liberia, on October 30, 2026. LBTS President Rev. Dr. Prof. Momolu A. Massaquoi warned that Liberia’s future generation is at risk from drug addiction if the crisis is not urgently addressed.
The two-day conference, themed “Healing the Next Generation: The Theological Perspective on Drug Addiction, Recovery, and Youth Empowerment,” began at the Bradley D. and Carolyn Brown Fellowship Chapel. Keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hawkins urged religious leaders to view addiction not just as a personal character failure but as a complex issue influenced by social and economic factors.
Hawkins, a sociologist of religion, highlighted hope, human dignity, and reintegration as guiding principles for addiction discussions. He cited examples from the United States, including New Brunswick, New Jersey, and New Orleans, Louisiana, to illustrate how poverty, mental health, and limited opportunities can contribute to substance abuse among young people.
Why it mattersLiberia's future generation faces risks from drug addiction if the crisis is not urgently addressed, according to the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary.