By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Bio has encouraged 40 former addicts of the drug Kush that have gone through rehabilitation, not to go back to their old ways, and to instead serve in the fight against the harmful substance.
The First Lady who was addressing kush survivors at the Auditorium of the Freetown City Council on the 13th April, 2024 noted that reverting to their old ways, will be a disappointment for their parents more especially their mothers who will carry the greatest shame in society.
She said kush is not a pride, but a disgrace to society and it is the duty of the survivors to ensure that other victims out there see them as an example of change.
She called on the Police to be serious in the fight against kush and to show the public those that have been arrested in relation to selling of the drug. She had some strong words for the police for saying an exhibit seized turned out to be cassava leaves and not kush.
The First Lady emphasized that the fight against kush is not political and discouraged people wanting to use politics to sabotage the campaign. She told kush sellers that for every person that dies due to the substance, they will carry the sin of that person.
Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty in her statement noted that this is not the first time the country is facing challenges, citing the Ebola and Covid diseases, and believes the country will overcome the kush problem.
She explained the commitment shown by President Julius Maada Bio in the fight against kush as he has summoned Cabinet and told them that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have a role to play in the fight against the drug. She stated that the Internal Affairs ministry, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Police have all been committed in the fight against substance abuse which she said shows that they are ready and willing to work with the President’s vision to tackle the substance.
She disclosed that the social welfare ministry with other stakeholders have embarked on community engagements to show their seriousness in the fight against kush . She said it is through such community engagements that they were able to identify those that have survived its addiction- generally young people with potential.
The Executive Director of NDLEA, Andrew Jaiah Kaikai called on everyone in the country to support the President’s drive to tackle kush. He said Government has assured that it will do everything in its power to see the fight against kush succeeds.
He warned that Sierra Leone is no more a safe haven for kush dealers, saying anyone caught transporting the drug will face the law.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (15/04/24)
