At Kush Town Hall Meeting, UN Resident Coordinator wants the youth to be part of the solution.

Outgoing United Nations Resident Coordinator (RC) Babatunde Ahonsi has emphasised the importance of using a comprehensive youth approach to addressing the challenges of drug addiction, especially Kush, on the youth of Sierra Leone.

Expressing concerns over the Kush crisis at a Town Hall meeting organised by the UN Country Team last Friday at the New Brookfield’s Hotel, Mr. Ahonsi said young people are already faced with many challenges, including livelihood and the lack of gainful employment. "Combining that with Kush is daunting and must be addressed, the root cause tackled, and the suppliers disrupted".

The RC said that there is no way the country can realise its development priorities if young people are not part of the effort to transform the country, adding, "If young people are suffering from the impact of the widespread white substances, then they will not be able to assume the role of being change agents.

He applauded the Government’s efforts in dealing with the issues, stating that the drug users are mere victims of circumstances. He said the UN is looking forward to supporting a holistic approach. "At the United Nations, it is this comprehensive, holistic approach that informs our thinking about what we can do additionally to support the government and other partners to address this issue."

The Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs. Melrose Karminty, commended the United Nations for its timely contribution to addressing the challenges of Kush addiction among the youth. She revealed that the government’s position on the issue is to decriminalize and rehabilitate the users and, rather, punish the pushers.

She also stated that the Government's approach to addressing the impact of the white substances on youth will be multidimensional, collaborating with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Partners, and the youth to raise awareness and take robust measures to end the menace.

Mrs. Karmity further said that the Government was establishing a rehab centre to support the rehabilitation of and recovery of substance abuse victims and called on the youth to take advantage of upcoming opportunities in the Government's Big Five Changers to be more empowered to build a resilient society.

Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation 1, Professor Charles Senessie admits that Kush is a great cause for concern but that actions have been mounted with some key mounting points to start with

Following the opening remarks was a panel discussion that included the RC, the Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, two people with personal experience of drug use, and the Program Coordinator of a rehab centre that was gutted by fire a while back. The discussion emphasised the urgent need for a comprehensive support system that addresses the root causes of addiction while empowering youth to build resilience and lead fulfilling lives.

Augusta Johnny, the Program Coordinator of City of Rest, stresses the importance of early intervention programs, education, and community engagement to prevent drug abuse and provide necessary support to those already affected.

She said the fire incident at the only private centre that used to provide rehab support to individuals suffering from drug addiction had caused a severe impact on the uptake of Kush incidents, leaving victims to die in the street because of a lack of facilities to cater to their needs. 

One of the key points highlighted during the discussion was the alarming rise in substance abuse among young people, posing a significant threat to their physical and mental well-being. The light was also shed on the need for a holistic approach that involves collaboration between various stakeholders, including government bodies, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and community organisations.

Among the testimonies given during the program was Mohamed, who said he quit his job, withdrew his savings from the bank, sold his property, and abandoned his wife and children to satisfy his addiction to the substance.

Ramatulai Tunkara, also known as Mama Salone, disclosed, "Sometimes when I wake up from sleep without smoking, my body and joints ache. After smoking two to five joints of Kush, I feel okay. I feel all right, my meditation changes, and my mood becomes cool."

On behalf of his organisation, the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Innocent Nuwagira, committed to working with various stakeholders to reduce the effects of the Kush vice on young people for a healthier population and development. He also stated that he will support quarterly town hall discussions for youth and different stakeholders on drug and substance abuse.

The theme for the Town Hall moderated by journalist Umaru Fofana was "The Challenge of Kush Addiction, Youth Resilience & Sustainable Development in Sierra Leone," and about 150 youth drawn from the Federation of Urban and Rural Poor (FedURP) and the Global Youth Network attended in the event in addition to the media, development partners and other stakeholders.