BY PROBLYN J ALPHA
Matilda Doris Sellu, the wife of Sierra Leone’s Inspector General of Police and President of the Police Wives Association, delivered a stark warning on May 28, 2024, at the main Konomanyi lorry park in Koidu City, Kono District. Addressing hundreds of attendees, she raised alarm over the synthetic drug known as “Kush,” a lethal concoction composed of various local materials, including formaldehyde used in preserving corpses and particles extracted from human bones exhumed from graves.
Sellu, spearheading a nationwide awareness campaign in collaboration with the National Task Force on Drug and Substance Abuse, emphasized the urgent need to combat the spread of Kush. She asserted that their objective is to bolster the government’s efforts to eradicate the drug’s consumption in Sierra Leone, urging youth involved in its distribution to abandon the trade. She assured them of opportunities for success within the country, urging them to reject the false allure of overseas ventures.
Highlighting the detrimental health effects of Kush, Sellu advocated for the establishment of rehabilitation centers nationwide and called for concerted efforts to curb its distribution. PC Ali Musa III, the Public Relations Officer of the Council of Paramount Chiefs in Kono District, echoed Sellu’s sentiments, emphasizing the devastating impact of Kush within their communities. He commended law enforcement for their diligent efforts and called for collaboration across sectors to combat the drug trade.
Mayor Komba Matthew Sam of Koidu New Sembehun City Council urged citizens to report suspected Kush dealers to the police and pledged unwavering support for law enforcement efforts. He warned of strict consequences for those caught in possession of the drug.
The event concluded with musical performances, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the collective resolve to address the Kush epidemic gripping Sierra Leonean communities.
