Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Mines and National Secretary General of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Umaru Napoleon Koroma, has addressed the escalating health emergency surrounding the use of Kush in the country.

The proliferation of Kush, a harmful drug has sparked widespread concern, prompting calls for swift government intervention to safeguard the youth and the nation as a whole.

The issue gained heightened attention following the burial of 32 unidentified individuals on March 14, 2024, at the Kingtom cemetery in Freetown, in a joint effort by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and its partners.

In his statement, the Deputy Minister emphasized the pervasive impact of Kush on families and communities, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to address the crisis.

Koroma stressed the importance of a collaborative approach, urging the government, opposition leaders, civil society organizations, families, and religious leaders to unite in combating the issue.

“Placing the burden solely on one entity will not suffice,” Koroma remarked, highlighting the necessity of dismantling the entire supply chain to effectively tackle the problem.

He called for the identification and prosecution of those involved in the importation, sale, and manufacture of Kush, emphasizing that the future of the nation’s youth cannot be sacrificed for the sake of profit-driven individuals.

“It is imperative that we take immediate and decisive action to protect the well-being of our future generations,” Koroma concluded.