His Excellency Ambassador Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United States of America has hosted Embassies and health partners across United States to talk about the devastating effects of Kush on the Sierra Leone society, especially the youth and to find possible ways of intervention.
Ambassador Wai said the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, DC responded to the call of the President of Sierra Leone to support the fight against Kush in the country.
He said: “I am very grateful to the U.S. Ambassador in Sierra Leone for accepting my call to collaborate with us in finding an immediate intervention to tackle the threat of substance abuse (Kush) in Sierra Leone. Thank you Ambassador Hunt for your leadership, and pledging to help fight Kush pandemic in Sierra Leone”.
Ambassador Wai further recognised the willingness of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Saudi Arabia, and that of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Kenya in joining efforts with the Sierra Leone Embassy in Washington, DC to support Kush victims in Sierra Leone.
He stated that the effect of the Kush pandemic is far reaching, with families losing their love ones to the pandemic, noting efforts of the Government of Sierra Leone after bringing together development partners in a meeting in Freetown to discuss the Kush menace.
He said President Bio immediately instituted a National Taskforce on Drugs and Substance Abuse, and appointed Prof. Sahr Foday to manage the Taskforce.
“The Sierra Leone diaspora in the U.S. should work collectively with development partners to support the government’s effort. Some diasporas have started interventions individually in Sierra Leone, and we want to bring all their efforts together. This is not the first time our diaspora has supported the country. When COVID-19 struck the country, the U.S. diaspora donated a 40ft Container with medical supplies, and also solicited $7m from the U.S. CDC. With the tragic Tanker Explosion in Freetown, the Embassy facilitated the deployment of medical professionals from the U.S. After the August 10, 2022 carnage in Freetown, the Embassy appealed to NYPD for support to the Sierra Leone Police. The NYPD donated 500 bulletproof vests to the Police of Sierra Leone. We are elated, and very grateful to our development partners”, Ambassador Wai said.
Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha, deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation in Sierra Leone reiterated President Bio’s call for Human Capital development which is why the government is determined to champion the Kush epidemic.
“The medical facilities are overwhelmed, especially the psychiatric hospital. Kush is also affecting pregnant women, and it is perceived to be one hundred times stronger than cannabis. We are yet to undertake more study on the Kush substance. Ministry of Health is also concerned about treating other addictions”, Dr Mustapha said, emphasising on the efforts of the government in training addiction professionals at Community level to be able to detect mental, and drugs abuse. She said efforts are exerted to create healing centers as well as rehabilitation centers.
“Guidelines for drug abuse, one stop center, counseling, support services and reintegration into society are key in the fight against Kush. Public awareness campaign, educating on the risk of drug use, mental health, availability of services should be communicated especially in Schools, Universities, and communities that are prone as high risk. Referral places in communities where to seek medical help is also key. We are working with stakeholders on data, research, and trying to undertake the first study since there is no concrete nationwide data study”.
The deputy Minister of Health dilated on the importance of regulatory measures, and for the law enforcement agencies to monitor supply chain of the Kush.
“I implore development partners to continue to advocate for resources, especially when mental health is underfunded. Robust mental health services is vital now than ever. The government is seeking support to diagnose the root causes – and diaspora expertise is needed to help us with the pandemic”, Dr. Mustapha concluded.
For U.S. Ambassador Hunt, the questions should be – what is the scale of the substance abuse, and what is the government doing to solve the epidemic.
“Young Sierra Leoneans are wasting their lives. The Kush pandemic should be controlled. Another concern should be whether budget has been allocated to the National Emergency Task Force speaks volumes how much the government cares about the pandemic”, emphasizing that it is time to put the epidemic under control.
According to Prof. Sahr Foday, the Task Force is yet to undertake study on what Kush synthetic is, and would want CDC to help with the study. There are efforts to put an end to the supply of the Kush synthetic. People with expertise are needed since there are limited facilities.
“Kush is across the country. We need sensitization, better outreach at community level, and also the support of religious leaders, teachers and community leaders”, Prof. Sahr Foday said.
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr. Ibrahim Jalloh stressed on the importance of support from the diaspora since Sierra Leone is losing her youth population to the Kush pandemic. “Love homes have broken down, and rehabilitation centers should be provided immediately for the victims of Kush”.
