In a move to address the escalating issue of drug addiction among youth in the ECOWAS region, the Honourable Members of the Committee on Health of the ECOWAS Parliament, under the leadership of Hon. Orlando Pereira Dias, conducted a courtesy visit to the Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas, the Speaker of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone. The visit was part of a broader initiative aimed at fostering collaboration among Member States to tackle the pressing challenge of drug abuse that has increasingly affected young people across the region.
Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Sierra Leone Parliament and the leader of the Sierra Leone delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, emphasized the urgency of the situation during the meeting. She reminded Speaker Thomas of previous discussions held in the plenary sittings of the Sierra Leone Parliament, where a strong commitment was made to advocate for the eradication of drug addiction among the youth. The delegation’s visit was a strategic effort to engage with Member States and galvanize a unified response to this critical issue.
During the meeting, Hon. Sesay outlined the plans for a town hall meeting aimed at collaborating with relevant stakeholders to create a robust framework for combating drug abuse among youth. This meeting will serve as a platform for dialogue and action, bringing together various sectors to address the multifaceted nature of drug addiction. Following the town hall meeting, the ECOWAS Parliament members plan to conduct a tour of rehabilitation centers for drug victims in Freetown. This tour will enable them to assess the needs of these centers and identify possible remedial actions to support individuals struggling with addiction.
Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliamentary Committee on Health, Hon. Orlando Pereira Dias, expressed his appreciation for Sierra Leone’s leadership under President Julius Maada Bio, who has recently been elected as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of States in the ECOWAS Region. Dias underscored the importance of health as a paramount concern for the people of the ECOWAS region, reinforcing the committee’s commitment to combat drug abuse. He called upon all stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to join forces in the fight against this growing menace, emphasizing the need for youth to enjoy good mental health and well-being.
In response, Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas warmly welcomed the ECOWAS Parliament members to Sierra Leone, acknowledging the gravity of the drug abuse crisis not only in Sierra Leone but throughout the West African region. He highlighted the urgent need for concrete action to address the issue, recognizing that drug addiction poses a significant threat to the future of the youth. Speaker Thomas articulated the necessity of engaging young people in discussions about drug abuse, as their involvement is crucial for effective solutions and prevention strategies.
“Continuing on this trajectory without intervention will result in a generation of youth facing severe challenges,” Speaker Thomas warned. He expressed gratitude to the ECOWAS Parliament for their visit and assured them that the Parliament of Sierra Leone is fully committed to supporting efforts to combat drug abuse. He reiterated the importance of collective action and the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle the underlying issues contributing to drug addiction among youth.
The collaborative efforts between the ECOWAS Parliament and the Sierra Leonean government signify a proactive approach to a crisis that has far-reaching implications for the health and future of young people in the region. As the ECOWAS Parliament prepares to mobilise resources and support for this cause, it is evident that addressing drug abuse among youth is not only a health issue but a societal imperative that requires immediate attention and action from all stakeholders involved. The commitment shown by both the ECOWAS Parliament and the Sierra Leonean leadership is a hopeful sign that progress can be made in the fight against drug addiction, ensuring a healthier future for the region’s youth.
