PH
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio declared Thursday that drug abuse was a “national emergency” and outlined steps to battle a synthetic substance popular among young people.
Kush, a combination of chemical compounds with effects comparable to cannabis, has been popular in the country for several years.
“It is my solemn duty as president… to declare a national emergency on drug abuse,” Bio said in an address to the nation.
“Our country is currently facing an existential threat due to the devastating impact of drugs and drug addiction, in particular the devastating synthetic drug kush,” he added.
A task force made up of government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) would be in charge of prevention, treatment, social service support, law enforcement, and community participation.
Bio also stated that his government was working to bring down drug trafficking networks.
Two containers of kush were seized by police in Freetown on Thursday, according to police commissioner Joseph Lahai.
Seven suspects were taken into custody, he said.
