Govt Urged to Declare Public Health Emergency on Kush

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has been urged to declare a Public Health Emergency on Kush and other harmful drugs.

This would go a long way in putting an end to the importation of ‘kush’ and other harmful drugs; especially arresting those that are engaging in selling this killer drugs to the youth.

Sadly, lots of young people have lost their lives and many more will die if nothing is done to put an end to the trade.

A Medical Consultant told this medium that the impact of drugs like kush and other harmful substance on Youth in Sierra Leone is a significant concern, stating further that, the prevalence of drugs abuse among youth in Sierra Leone can be attributed to various factors such as poverty, unemployment and lack of education.

“These conditions can drive young people towards substance abuse as a form of escapism or due to peer pressure,” he clarifies, adding that, these substances can lead to various negative outcomes, including health issues, decreased educational attainment, increased violence and economic instability.  He further appealed to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio to consider taking tougher actions like declaring a public health emergency to address the issue, adding that, the use of such drugs among the youth can undermine the social and economic development of the country and can strain public health systems. He has further urged all stakeholders in the country including the Inter-Religious Council to intervene to combat the issue by putting measures against drug trafficking and distribution, alongside public health campaigns aimed at educating and the rehabilitation of the affected youth.

Given the complexity of drugs abuse issues and the variability in data collection and reporting methods across different regions, it is challenging to quantify the exact impact without current, specific studies or reports. However, it is widely acknowledged among global health organizations and national governments that substance abuse among youth is a critical issue that requires comprehensive intervention.