Mental health is health. Without a sound mind, you really won’t be able to participate in life to your fullest capability.
Despite dealing with the bevy of issues that have to do with their future, the youth of Sierra Leone have also fallen victim to recreational drug abuse, which is affecting their mental health.
According to reports, the majority of new mental health cases at referral hospitals across the country are young people battling with drug addiction.
In an effort to halt this dangerous and budding trend, the Member of Parliament representing Kailahun District peje bongre and penguia chiefdoms in the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic, Hon Margaret Johnson, is appealing to his President Bio to focus more and tackle mental health issues across the country with regarding the high level of substance misuse.
In a much publicized plea, Hon Margaret Johnson highlight that her working experiences in mental health issues and is trained psychotherapist have worked extensively around this issue.
She made the plea during the debate of the President’s State Opening of Parliament Speech on Friday, 18 August, 2023, where she reminded that she is very much passionate about mental health issues.
It must be recalled that the youth of Sierra Leone and many past their youth and gainfully employed have all fallen victim to the abuse of the popular Kush and tramadol recreational drugs.
Despite several arrests and calls for tougher legislation, and jail sentences imposed on those found wanting, the abuse of the drugs seem widespread which has prompted non politicians to call on the authorities to do the needful to address this issue before it gets much worse than it is at present.
The passionate MP added her voice to the call imploring the president to save the country by saving the youth, who the nation is being developed for. If the future belongs to the youth, then the youthful population presently dying and drug induce mental health issues will not be up to the task of nation building in the future.
Apart from stronger laws to address this issue the nation is in need of rehabilitation centres across the country to tackle the addiction. Stronger penalty must also be made for the smugglers, importation and dealers.
If we as a nation fail to address the root causes of drug abuse and making plans to counter its effects on the youth, all will be wasted.
It must be recalled that in an effort to address the drug abuse and mental health challenges the youth are faced with,
Dealing with mental health issues as they relate to drug abuse must be the work of every Sierra Leonean and our foreign friends. From the home to the school to the places of worship and play, pyscho education about drug use the risk to one’s mind and body.
Hon Margaret Johnson appealed to His Excellency, raising the tempo and addressing this issue,
