In response to the rising issue of drug abuse in Sierra Leone, the University of Makeni (UNIMAK) has launched a campaign to support President Julius Maada Bio’s recently declared national emergency on drug and substance abuse.

The campaign kicked off with a symbolic procession through the streets of Makeni. Staff and students, dressed in uniform Unimak T-shirts, marched while chanting anti-drug slogans and carrying placards. A separate group used a sound system to educate the public about the dangers of drug abuse.

Following the procession, a conference was held at the university’s auditorium. Unimak’s Registrar, Foday Augustine Bangura, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to fighting drug abuse and outlined steps they have taken to keep students away from drugs like Kush, a synthetic drug wreaking havoc on Sierra Leone’s youth.

“Like President Bio said, ‘Enough is enough,'” Bangura declared. “We have decided to support the president’s call because this drug is ravaging lives and tearing communities apart.”

The Regional Commander of the Sierra Leone Police North East Region, AIG Aiah Edward Samadia, cautioned that the youth should avoid taking dreadful drugs, highlighting few solutions that will help them to overcome the temptation to abuse drug.

AIG Samadia said the abuse of drugs such as Kush, Marijuana, Tramadol, et cetera, can affect one’s physical and mental wellbeing, adding that it can further derail one from one’s goal.

He noted that since President Bio declared a national emergency on drug and substance abuse, the Sierra Leone Police have been instrumental in tracking down distributors, sellers and victims of Kush and other dangerous drugs.

The Makeni City Mayor, Abu Bakarr Lamtales Kamara, expressed his gratitude to President Bio for declaring a national emergency on drug and substance abuse.