By Nasratu Kargbo
Members of Parliament have expressed strong dissatisfaction at the Sierra Leone Police, accusing the force of knowing the importers of the deadly psychoactive substance known as Kush and even stated that some of the officers consume the drug.
Whilst debating on the 12th October 2023 on a Presidential Nominee related to the health sector, Deputy Whip 2 Ibrahim Conteh said that the police know those that are bringing the substance into the country.
“Even though Kush is not manufactured in Sierra Leone, but the concoction that produces the final product called kush is brought in by people; people that the police connive with, people that the police work with” said Conteh. He added that he knows officers that also sell the drug and that some officers take the substance for exhibit but do not take it to court nor display them, stating that the drug just disappears.
Conteh emphasized that they should go after those that bring the substance into the country instead of those consuming it. He stated that the substance is eroding the country’s human capital and explained how youths gather along different intersections across the city to chase vehicles for money, and called on politicians and members of the public to stop giving them money, saying that they use the monies given to them to buy kush.
The Whip noted that for the President’s Feed Salone agenda to succeed, there should be enough manpower.
Deputy Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business 1 Bashiru Silikie said the issue of ‘Kush’ is alarming, stating that “Even the police are involved in this, those that should arrest are part of the gang. Mr. Internal Affairs Minister and Mr. IG (Inspector-General) you have a lot to do”.
He explained that most of the youths in his village are drug addicts, leading to an increased rate of theft in those places, stating that they have to steal to go get the drug.
Silikie called for massive sensitisation on the drug, in order for the masses to understand its grave and deadly effect on those who consume it.
Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business Mathew Sahr Nyuma whilst closing the debate said: “Those drug dealers should be arrested and put behind bars”. He called on stakeholders concerned to implement the laws that will combat the illegal drug supply in the market.
He said victims of drugs should not be marginalized but rehabilitated to society.
Nyuma called on the presidential appointees on health to work together in a bid to promote the health sector.
The MPs made their contribution on drugs whilst debating for the approval of presidential nominees for Executive Director of National Public Health Agency (NPHA) Professor Foday Sahr, nominee for Board of Directors National Public Health Agency (NPHA) Professor Albert Aiah Gbakima and Ahmed Atata Mansaray as Commissioner of National Youth Commission.
Parliament approved seven nominees including those mentioned above.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (16/10/23)
