By Saidu Jalloh
In a significant development aimed at combating the scourge of drug and substance abuse, the Ministry of Social Welfare Government of Sierra Leone, in conjunction with several other government agencies, held a ceremony for the discharge of the first cohort of rehabilitated service users affected by drug and substance abuse. The event unfolded on Saturday, April 13th, 2024, at the Freetown City Auditorium.
The initiative follows the establishment of a dedicated rehabilitation center for victims of drug and substance abuse earlier this year, coupled with the formation of a ministerial task force. Honourable Mrs. Melrose Karminty, Minister of Social Welfare, likened the battle against drug abuse, particularly the prevalent use of ‘kush’, to the challenges posed by previous pandemics such as coronavirus and Ebola. She underscored the necessity of an inter-ministerial approach, echoing President Julius Maada Bio’s stance on the matter.
Minister Karminty highlighted the multifaceted efforts undertaken by various government bodies, including community sensitization campaigns and crackdowns on importers, manufacturers, and distributors of illicit substances. Stressing the importance of rehabilitation over stigmatization, she emphasized the rehabilitation center’s role in offering a second chance to afflicted individuals, primarily aged between 15-25 years.
The Minister expressed concerns regarding the potential hindrance of national development initiatives, including the Presidential Five big game changers, by the pervasive issue of drug abuse. She commended the advocacy efforts of First Lady Fatima Maada Bio and urged for collective action to address the crisis.
Dr. Santigie Sesay, Director of Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, lauded the dedication of staff at the rehabilitation center and urged survivors to refrain from relapsing into drug use, urging them to become agents of positive change instead.
First Lady Fatima Maada Bio echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the embarrassment and detriment caused by drug abuse to individuals, families, and the nation at large. She called for intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking and appealed for parental support in preventing substance abuse.
In a closing statement, a representative of the rehabilitated service users expressed gratitude to the government for facilitating their rehabilitation and pledged to contribute positively to society.
The ceremony concluded with the handover of the service users to various partners for reintegration efforts, marking a significant step forward in the fight against drug and substance abuse in Sierra Leone.