Liberia has declared a nationwide ban on Tramadol and Shisha starting August 22, 2025, as the country battles a growing drug crisis affecting its youth.

The Ministry of Health, citing Part V, Chapter 41 of the Public Health Law, announced that Tramadol will now be restricted to licensed hospital use under strict supervision, while Shisha consumption is banned in all spaces, including homes.

Violators face arrest, license revocation, and product seizure. Officials say the move responds to rising substance abuse threatening families and communities nationwide.

Public reaction is mixed—supporters hail the decision as a bold step toward curbing addiction, while critics worry about enforcement challenges and a potential black-market surge.