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A total of 94 young people, comprising 85 males and nine females, have graduated from a drug rehabilitation programme as “Ambassadors of Positive Change” following the successful completion of their recovery programmes.
The graduation ceremony, held at the Hastings Peacekeeping Training Centre Rehabilitation Centre, marked another milestone in Sierra Leone’s efforts to combat drug and substance abuse, support recovery and promote the reintegration of affected young people into their communities.
Representing the Chairman of the National Task Force on Drugs and Substance Abuse, Prof. Brig. Gen. Foday Sahr, Patrick Lansana of the National Public Health Agency disclosed that the latest graduation brings the cumulative number of young people who have benefited from the national rehabilitation programme to 1,071.
Sierra Leone currently has five rehabilitation centres, located in Hastings, Makeni, Kono, Daru and Gondama.
The Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty, expressed appreciation to President Julius Maada Bio for his leadership and continued commitment to tackling drug and substance abuse, as well as strengthening rehabilitation and reintegration services for affected young people.
Speakers at the ceremony called on families and communities to reject stigma and support people undergoing recovery.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Seraphine Wakana, encouraged the graduates to pursue education, skills development and livelihood opportunities as they rebuild their lives.
Other speakers, including the Inspector General of Police, representatives of ECOWAS and members of the diplomatic community, urged families and communities to welcome and accept the new “Ambassadors of Positive Change.” They also called for continued encouragement and support for the graduates throughout their reintegration process.
As the graduates return to their communities, the programme continues to promote the message that recovery is possible and that young people can rebuild their lives when provided with appropriate care, opportunities and support.
