By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating the growing threat of drug and substance abuse in the country, particularly the widespread consumption of Kush a synthetic and highly addictive drug wreaking havoc among the youth.
Speaking during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday, 30th October 2025, at State House in Freetown, the Vice President described the Kush epidemic as “one of the gravest threats to Sierra Leone’s social stability, public health, and national security.” The meeting, chaired by His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, was convened to review the one-year progress report of the National Taskforce on Drug and Substance Abuse.
Addressing ministers, security chiefs, justice sector leaders, and representatives from civil society, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh emphasized that the country’s collective response must now enter a more decisive phase. “Our efforts so far, coupled with the challenges ahead, should deepen our resolve against the scourge of Kush and all forms of drug and substance abuse,” he said.
He thanked President Bio for convening the meeting and for his leadership in championing the fight against drug abuse. “Your Excellency, as I mentioned, this meeting serves to present firsthand reports on government interventions at various levels from law enforcement and compliance to treatment and social reintegration and to evaluate how far we have come in this collective effort,” he noted.
The Vice President disclosed that over the past year, several ministries and agencies have taken significant steps in addressing the crisis. Law enforcement bodies, he said, have intensified operations to disrupt supply routes and dismantle criminal networks involved in the Kush trade. He also highlighted the efforts of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Alpha Sesay, in strengthening prosecution mechanisms to ensure accountability and support the broader national response.
Vice President Jalloh commended the judiciary, under the leadership of Chief Justice Hon. Komba Kamanda, for instituting measures to fast-track drug-related cases, ensuring that justice is both swift and deterrent. He equally recognized the contribution of the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, who reaffirmed Parliament’s readiness to collaborate with stakeholders to enact legislative reforms aimed at strengthening the national framework against drug and substance abuse.
The meeting also featured a touching testimony from Michael Tamba Komba, a recovering addict who shared his personal journey of recovery and community-led advocacy. His story, the Vice President observed, underscored both the human impact of the Kush crisis and the hope that rehabilitation and reintegration remain possible.
Dr. Jalloh noted that despite commendable progress, several challenges persist, including gaps in prosecution, dedicated funding, and cross-border control. He pointed out that although border security has improved, illicit substances continue to find their way into the country, posing serious risks to national security and public health.
The Vice President reaffirmed the Taskforce’s readiness to intensify its work with all relevant institutions. “Your Excellency, I wish to assure you, on behalf of the National Taskforce, that with your continued leadership, support, and further directives, we will overcome these challenges and win this fight against Kush,” he declared.
He concluded by expressing optimism that the deliberations and recommendations from the meeting would strengthen coordination and pave the way for a renewed, strategic approach to ending the Kush scourge once and for all.
The event brought together senior government officials, members of the judiciary, law enforcement leaders, parliamentarians, and representatives from civil society, marking a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone’s fight against drug and substance abuse, a fight the government insists it is determined to win.
