A Critical Look at the Rehabilitation and Empowerment of the Growing Number of at-Risk Youth (Zogos) in Liberia

Bearing some elements of scientific research, this paper takes a critical examination at the rehabilitation and empowerment of the growing wave of disadvantaged youths turning into “Zogos†that poses potential security threats to the fragile peace of Liberia. As a form of qualitative approach, the paper adopts a literature review method with emphasis on content analysis to explore the phenomenon defined as one of the contemporary social problems in Liberia. Through the lens of the social control theory viewed as the theoretical framework that guided the study, the paper attributes the growing wave of “Zogos†to the formal social control considered as a sub-set of the theory. Under this sub-set, the paper argues that the weak drugs law, and the lack of logistical and financial support to relevant law enforcement agencies exacerbated by the porosity of Liberia’s border points making it easier for narcotics and illicit drugs to be brought into the Liberia be the main contributing factors. Against the main contributing factors that explain cause and effects concept, the paper also argued that though the rehabilitation and empowerment program is commendable but not the root cause (s) of the imminent security threat that it seeks to address. As such, it cannot be a viable option or remedy for neutralizing the very perceived threat looming over Liberia. Conclusively, the paper argued that ignoring the main contributing factors will lead to more stress and strain on the program that has serious financial implications for sustainability. The paper recommends that to neutralize the perceived imminent security threat looming over Liberia, the rehabilitation and empowerment of “Zogos†, increase budgetary support to empower relevant law enforcement agencies, and the amended drugs law before the Liberian Senate for concurrence must be done concomitantly.