By Marilyn King
FREETOWN, Nov. 9 (SALONE TIMES) – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in partnership with ECOWAS Commission support to Sierra Leone have met to Review and Validate a Draft Strategic Master Plan to Address Drug Abuse Illicit Trafficking in Sierra Leone (2021-2025). This event took place on Thursday 4th and 6th of November 2021 at the Peace Museum Hall, Special Court in Freetown.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Abdul Sheku Kargbo said the stark reality is that there is a growing problem of drug abuse and consumption in the country, despite the efforts of government. Drugs, he said are now available in Schools, bars, cafes, and night clubs and the abuse of such drugs does not only affect the health of youths in the country but also leads to sexual violence and other criminal activities. The abuse of drugs he noted is a dangerous threat to neighbors, family friends, community and the society at large. Injury, chronic conditions, preventable diseases, mental health problems and road accidents are all end products of drug abuse, he cited.
He concluded that their purpose is to get a strategic Master Plan(SMP) that provides a national framework that highlights national priorities guides action by government in partnership with service providers and the community and outlined a commitment to a balanced adoption of effective demand, supply and harm reduction strategies.
The Representative of ECOWAS Commission to Sierra Leone office, Andrew A.B Kamara said the ECOWAS national office commended the national drug Law Enforcement Agency for their continued service to the nation, admitting its challenges such as office space, personnel strength, the unavailability of drug detective equipment. In 2019 the attention of the ECOWAS commission was drawn to the above challenges, and this led to the commission to lend its support in the form of capacity building, the provision of drug data collection equipment, the commencement of drugs sensitization programs at schools and the partial renovation of the Sierra Leone Psychiatric hospital with the aim of having it serve as a drug treatment and in the rehabilitation Centre. He furthered that the position of the NDLEA and the Sierra Leone Psychiatric hospital is to be able to render effective response when the need arises. He continued that in consolidating all of these, the NDLEA has prepared it draft strategic Master Plan in the bid to improve the agency drug prevention and control framework which shall address drug abuse and trafficking Illicit drugs.
The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Lahai Lawrence Leema said abuse of drugs is becoming problematic in Sierra Leone and that all of them should make a valuable input so that they can be able to tackle the drugs abuse that is affecting the young adults in Sierra Leone. He continued that Drug abuse is becoming a huge challenge in Schools, Colleges and Prisons which is why they want to tackle the drugs abuse in different areas. He furthered that he is pleased with the Psychiatric hospital. He concluded that he was also pleased with the strategic Master Plan. Review of the strategic Master Plan climaxed the occasion.
