President Julius Maada Bio proclaimed a “National Emergency on Drug and Substance Abuse” in a historic speech to the nation, vowing to combat the growing epidemic of synthetic drugs, especially the lethal Kush, which has been wreaking havoc on Sierra Leone’s youth.
President Bio claimed that drug and substance abuse are gravely endangering society and that they are having a disastrous effect on the country. He declared that “Enough Is Enough”. He demanded immediate action to address this crisis, highlighting the rise in Kush usage and the subsequent decline in the well-being of the country’s youth.
The President stated that although drug abuse is a worldwide problem, it is currently a severe issue in Sierra Leone, where Kush is turning into a death trap for adolescents due to the country’s rising addiction rates. The President stated that more work must be done to stop the spread of synthetic drugs and stop further harm to the populace, notwithstanding the government’s efforts to address the issue.
President Bio declared a national emergency on drug and substance abuse, announcing plans to broaden the Government Task Force’s purview and put in place a comprehensive plan to combat the Kush epidemic. To coordinate efforts in addressing the crisis, the recently established National Task Force on Drugs and Substance Abuse will bring together a range of stakeholders, including government ministries, law enforcement agencies, community organisations, and people who have personally experienced substance abuse.
The President presented a five-point plan for a Drug-Free Future. These include community engagement to involve local communities in the fight against Kush, care and treatment through establishing easily accessible treatment centres, law enforcement to disrupt the drug supply chain, and prevention through awareness campaigns and healthy alternatives.
In addition to the National Task Force, a Presidential Advisory Team will oversee the execution of these policies and ensure that the government’s efforts to remove Kush and other harmful drugs from Sierra Leonean communities are thriving. To make the country’s future safer and healthier, President Bio urged all residents to support the measures aimed at combating drug abuse.
The President expressed hope that, with cooperation and resolve, Sierra Leone can overcome this crisis and, as the country prepares to mobilise resources and execute the National Emergency on Drug and Substance Abuse, give its youth a better future. The National Task Force will announce its plans and interact with the public in the upcoming days and weeks to increase public awareness and rally support for the fight against Kush.
To protect national security and ensure that all Sierra Leoneans live drug-free futures, President Bio’s courageous action against drug and substance abuse is a critical step.
