By: Problyn J. Alpha
As part of this year’s commemoration of World Drug Day, Peoples Effort Advocacy for Community Empowerment (PEACE SALONE) has engaged reformed drug users commonly referred to as “service users” at the National Rehabilitation Centre on Drugs and Substance Abuse in Gondama, Bo District. The centre serves as a regional hub for drug rehabilitation in Southern Sierra Leone.
In his address to the rehabilitated service users, Aruna Kamara, Chief Executive Officer of PEACE SALONE, emphasized that health advocacy is one of the organization’s key focus areas under its five-year strategic plan. He stated that this engagement is part of the Sub-Saharan Africa Consortium for the Advancement of Innovative Research and Care for Sepsis (STARS) community outreach linking drug abuse to increased vulnerability to sepsis.
Mr. Kamara reiterated the significance of World Drug Day, officially known as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which is commemorated globally on June 26. The day, he noted, is more than just a date on the calendar it is a call to action and a reminder of the lives lost, families broken, and communities weakened by drug abuse.
“Addiction knows no boundaries,” Kamara said. “It affects the rich and poor, the educated and uneducated, and both rural and urban dwellers.”
Kamara highlighted the theme of this year’s observance: “Breaking the Chains – Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery for All”, describing it as not just a slogan but a roadmap for collective action.
He emphasized that prevention begins at home, in schools, and within communities.
“Addiction is not a moral failure,” he stressed. “It is a health condition, and it requires treatment, compassion, and support not shame or punishment.”
He noted that young people often turn to drugs due to trauma, peer pressure, loneliness, unemployment, and lack of guidance. What may begin as curiosity or a coping mechanism can quickly become a life-threatening trap.
Kamara further called for policymakers to fund rehabilitation centres, invest in mental health education, and fight the illicit drug trade with intelligence and integrity.
“We must act,” he said. “Let’s talk to those struggling with addiction, listen, and be the support system they need. Every addict is someone’s child, someone’s loved one and they deserve a second chance.”
He commended the Government of Sierra Leone for supporting the rehabilitation centres across the country and praised Winners Chapel Church in Bo for its spiritual support to the service users.
Piloya Grace Nollahh, Coordinator of the National Rehabilitation Centre in Gondama, expressed appreciation to PEACE SALONE for their impactful engagement. She announced that the first batch of rehabilitated service users* will be discharged in July 2025, noting significant improvements in their lives thanks to counseling, prayer sessions, and continued support from religious and medical professionals.
“The service users are now spiritually uplifted and determined to say no to drugs,” she said.
James Fawundu, Acting Health Advocacy Officer of PEACE SALONE, encouraged the rehabilitated individuals to now serve as Ambassadors of Positive Change. He lauded their thoughtful questions during the engagement and stressed the need for ongoing medical education about harmful substances like kush and tramadol.
Jeremiah Stevens, Development Officer of PEACE SALONE, explained that the organization is a local non-governmental entity with a mission to promote democracy, peace, good governance, and socio-economic development in Sierra Leone. He emphasized that empowering youth with knowledge on the dangers of drug abuse will help them make informed decisions and improve their lives.
As the event concluded, PEACE SALONE’s CEO, Mr. Kamara, urged all stakeholders not to let the day end with just speeches and pledges but to take real, sustained action in their communities.
“Let us promise not to look away. Let us stand together to break the chains of addiction and build a society where dignity replaces dependency,” he concluded.