By: Audrey Raymonda John
In a ground-breaking ceremony today, a cross-section of members from Youth In Action Against Drug Abuse Network (YAADAN) presented a plague of appreciation to the SLRSA’s Executive Director in his office on Kissy Road, Freetown.
Speaking on YAADAN’s recent activities, Public Relations Officer, Malachi Kamara underscored YAADAN’s contributions which had rehabilitated over 50 young drug addicts across the country, adding that YAADAN has worked not only with various youth-led organizations but also with other government institutions such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to contain the use of the synthetic narcotic drug (Kush).
Intimating the Executive Director, the Public Relations Officer reiterated that both government and private rehabilitation centres are not enough as the number of addicts keeps soaring day by day.
He noted that their organization has a vision to to establish one rehabilitation centre to provide care and treatment for Kush addicts, especially in Freetown but said the vision seems impossible because of financial challenges. He however reaffirmed the organization’s commitment towards such vision.
He mentioned YAADAN’s plans to incorporate road safety as a component of advocacy in combating substance abuse among drivers and other road users. According to him, incorporating road safety is a major component of combating substance abuse among drivers and road users.
Presenting the Plague on behalf of YAADAN, Elizabeth S. Koroma commended Mr. Senesie for his instrumental leadership to SLRSA over the years. She reaffirmed YAADAN’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that drunk driving would be thrown aback.
Responding to the Team, the Executive Director of Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, Reverend Smart Senesie applauded the Team, urging them to develop campaigns that highlight the cause of both impaired driving due to drug abuse and the overall impact of drugs on drivers’ ability to make safe decision on the road. He said the alarming increase of fatalities among pedestrians, drivers, and passengers has increased over the years, assuring a collective partnership with YAADAN to see and accident-free society.
“By linking drug abuse prevention and road safety, becomes easier to create a holistic approach to minimizing accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Both societal challenges can be addressed together for greater impact” He said.
He assured the Team of his willingness to partner with Youth in Action Against Drug Abuse Network which he noted would be beneficial to both the Authority and the organization whilst urging the Team to always talk about road safety with a strong view of reducing road crashes in the country.
The Team from Youth in Action Against Drug Abuse Network included: Umaru Kanu, Malachi Kamara, Fomba Sheriff, Elizabeth Abu, and AminataTarawallie.
Youth in Action Against Drug Abuse Network is a youth-led Community Organization that advocates on issues affecting youths and the community in Sierra Leone.
