In a proactive move against drug abuse, students from Njala University Bo Campus, specifically from the Peace and Development Department, have joined forces with the Sierra Leone Police Force. The collaborative effort aims to combat drug abuse, particularly the use of “Kush,” in the Southern Region and Bo City.

On Thursday, 11th January 2024, the initiative was officially presented to the Regional Police Commander South, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Brima Kanneh. Recognizing the severe impact of drug abuse on individuals and society, the Regional Police Commander welcomed the involvement of the police force, emphasizing the potential to create a safer and healthier environment for the community.

Princess Megg Coker, the team lead of Njala University Peace and Development Studies, explained the inception of the initiative. The team initiated comprehensive research on drug abuse in various communities within Bo municipality. Their findings encompassed data on the prevalence of drug-related incidents, common types of abused substances, and demographics most affected. This research forms the basis for understanding the scope of the problem and identifying areas requiring immediate attention.

Coker, on behalf of her colleagues, urged the police to increase their presence in areas notorious for drug-related activities. Proposed measures include heightened patrols, targeted investigations, and undercover operations to identify and apprehend drug dealers.

The Regional Police Commander South, Brima Kanneh, assigned Corporal 12039 Ibrahim Gandi to collaborate with the initiative. Corporal Gandi, attached to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), commended the collaboration, highlighting the roles of both the Police and ordinary citizens in community safety.

Gandi emphasized the police’s responsibility to investigate and bring law offenders, particularly those involved in drug-related matters, to court. He urged parents to educate their children about the dangers of illicit drugs, emphasizing that the law respects no one.

All participants in the collaboration acknowledged the negative impact of drug abuse on health and expressed a collective commitment to addressing this issue for the well-being of the community.