By: Audrey Raymonda John
As part of his ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd. AIG Morie Lengor Esq., on 14th October 2025, held talks with the executive members of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL) to foster stronger collaboration in promoting peace, security, and safety, while addressing the growing issue of drug abuse.
The Minister and his team were warmly received by the IRCSL members, who welcomed the engagement in a friendly and enthusiastic manner. During the meeting, the Secretary General of the IRCSL, Rev. Jesse Fornah, commended Minister Lengor, noting that he was the first Minister of Internal Affairs to engage with the council on matters of national security, peace, and safety.
The Vice President of the IRCSL, Alhaji Mutada Sesay, highlighted the council’s key roles, including promoting national cohesion, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and religious tolerance. He emphasized that the IRCSL is not solely focused on offering prayers but also comprises members with expertise in development and social issues. He expressed gratitude to the government for its continued support of the organization and assured the Minister of the council’s commitment to working with the government to achieve national development goals.
Minister Lengor thanked the IRCSL for the opportunity to address the executive on crucial issues of peace, security, and drug abuse. He particularly addressed the growing problem of kush, a form of drug addiction he described as a “silent pandemic” that is harming the future of Sierra Leone. He urged the IRCSL to play an active role in tackling this issue, stressing the importance of collaboration to save the youth from the dangers of drug addiction.
“It is crucial to involve various voices to broaden the impact of drug-related concerns and to seek interventions. Kush is destroying our future, and I believe the IRCSL can make a significant contribution to eliminating the dangers of drug addiction in Sierra Leone. Your proactive efforts, education, and interventions will help mitigate the harmful effects of drug abuse across the country,” Minister Lengor emphasized.
The Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, underscored the timeliness and importance of the Minister’s engagement with the IRCSL in the fight against drug abuse. He reiterated the longstanding cooperation between the police and the IRCSL, particularly in promoting peace and stability. He also briefed the council on the transition of the Sierra Leone Police Force into a service-oriented police service that focuses on community policing, building public trust, and fostering accountability. He stressed the need for continued partnerships to achieve the shared goal of a safer and more secure country.
Ibrahim Samuel Dugba, the Director of Drug Prevention, Education, and Training at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), represented the Executive Director of the agency. He thanked the Minister for his consistent efforts to address drug abuse and stressed the importance of collaborating with the IRCSL to save the youth. He shared some key points from the NDLEA’s strategic plan, which includes engaging community stakeholders in tackling drug and substance abuse. He also reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance policy toward narcotics.
Other participants expressed similar concerns, emphasizing the serious threats posed by drug addiction and its broader security implications. They recommended a review of police recruitment to ensure that individuals of good character are enlisted, as well as the creation of a fast-track court to impose heavier sentences as a deterrent. They also suggested that law enforcement efforts should focus more on drug traffickers and dealers rather than on addicts, who they consider victims of the drug epidemic.
In conclusion, the meeting identified key areas for action, including the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize the partnership between the Ministry, the Police, the NDLEA, and the IRCSL. It was also proposed that a committee be established to work on the MOU and the strategic plan to address drug abuse in Sierra Leone.