By: Marian Magdalene Bangura
The Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty, has confirmed that fifty individuals who recently completed addiction treatment programmes are being successfully reintegrated into society, with many of them preparing to enroll in higher education institutions.
Minister Karminty made the announcement during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press briefing held at the Miatta Conference Centre. She also used the opportunity to provide a comprehensive update on her ministry’s interventions targeting vulnerable populations, especially youth affected by drug and substance abuse.
Emphasizing practical results over rhetoric, the Minister highlighted the establishment of two key rehabilitation centres, in Hastings and Bo, as major milestones in her ministry’s efforts. She explained that many of the beneficiaries were formerly in school or pursuing higher education before falling into substance abuse. Through collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, those who have recovered will be supported to return to school and complete their academic goals.
She further announced the opening of a new rehabilitation centre in Bo, which has already begun reintegrating successfully rehabilitated individuals into their communities. Some beneficiaries have returned to school and university, showing promising signs of personal and social transformation.
Minister Karminty also provided updates on Sierra Leone’s first-ever government-run rehabilitation centre, located in Hastings. She described it as a beacon of hope, established to support drug addicts on their path to recovery and reintegration. The facility is the product of a coordinated, inter-ministerial strategy that brings together multiple sectors in the national fight against substance abuse.
In her closing remarks, Minister Karminty reiterated her personal commitment to mobilizing the necessary funding for vital rehabilitation and support services. She acknowledged the continued vulnerability of at-risk communities and stressed the need for sustained support despite global economic challenges.