784 Rehabilitated
By John Kelly Marah
The National Task Force on Drug and Substance Abuse (NaTFDSA) has disclosed that a total of 784 individuals have undergone rehabilitation and reintegration programmes across the country over the past two years, with 88 percent of beneficiaries being male and 12 percent female, as authorities intensify efforts to combat Sierra Leone’s growing drug and substance abuse crisis.
The disclosure was made by the Pillar Lead for Rehabilitation and Reintegration at the National Task Force on Drug and Substance Abuse, Ansumana Kanneh, during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press conference held at the Miatta Conference Hall in Freetown.
Addressing journalists, Mr. Kanneh revealed that the government, through the Task Force, has successfully established five rehabilitation centres nationwide aimed at supporting victims of drug addiction and facilitating their reintegration into society.
According to him, the rehabilitation centres are strategically located in Hastings, Daru, Bo, Kono and Makeni, enabling wider access to treatment and psychosocial support services for individuals battling substance abuse.
He explained that the rehabilitation and reintegration programme is a critical component of the national response to the escalating abuse of dangerous narcotic substances, particularly among young people. He noted that while significant progress has been made, the challenge remains enormous due to increasing levels of addiction and social vulnerability.
Mr. Kanneh attributed the growing drug menace largely to family breakdown and weak parental supervision, warning that in some disturbing instances, parents have allegedly been found directly involving their children in drug-related activities.
“The issue of drugs is not only a government problem; it starts from the home,” he stressed, emphasizing that effective prevention begins with responsible parenting and community vigilance.
He called on parents and guardians to take greater responsibility in protecting their children from harmful influences, while encouraging communities to support rehabilitation efforts instead of stigmatizing recovering addicts.
The NaTFDSA official further underscored the importance of reintegration, noting that rehabilitation does not only involve treatment but also equipping recovering individuals with skills and support systems that can enable them to become productive citizens.
The disclosure comes amid increasing national concerns over the rise in drug and substance abuse, especially the use of dangerous narcotics among youths, which many stakeholders believe poses a serious threat to public health, security and national development.
Government officials at the press conference reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening rehabilitation services and intensifying public awareness campaigns to tackle the crisis at both community and national levels.
