By Mackie M. Jalloh
In a compelling address on the urgent need to protect Sierra Leone’s youth, First Lady of Sierra Leone highlighted the escalating crisis of kush abuse and called for a united national response. Speaking at a high-level youth networking event at Country Lodge, Freetown, the First Lady framed the issue as a national emergency, warning that the drug is eroding the potential and future of the country’s young population.
The event, themed “Harnessing Youth Potential for National Development through Strategic Partnerships,” brought together policymakers, youth leaders, and civil society actors to deliberate on innovative ways to empower young people while addressing pressing social challenges. For the First Lady, the discussions went beyond the rhetoric of youth empowerment to address the harsh realities confronting many Sierra Leonean youths today.
“This is more than just a problem for law enforcement; it is a threat to the very fabric of our society,” the First Lady said, describing kush as a “cankerworm eating away at the promise of our youth.” Her remarks, though candid and emotionally charged, resonated deeply with participants, reflecting the urgency of addressing substance abuse as a matter of national security and development.
The First Lady applauded the government’s Big Five Game Changers agenda, emphasizing its focus on youth leadership, inclusion, and empowerment. She noted that young people now occupy significant roles across elected and appointed positions, yet their potential remains vulnerable to the dangers of drugs and social neglect. “Our youth are not just leaders of tomorrow,” she reminded the audience, quoting former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. “They are the game-changers of today. We cannot allow addiction to derail their promise or our nation’s future.”
Drawing attention to the broader social impact, the First Lady urged civil society organizations, government ministries, community leaders, and families to strengthen collaborative efforts aimed at prevention, rehabilitation, and education. She stressed that combating kush requires a multi-pronged strategy, combining awareness campaigns, school-based interventions, stricter regulation of drug trafficking, and robust support systems for affected individuals.
Her address underscored the role of women and girls in the fight against drug abuse, linking youth development with gender equality and social inclusion. She noted that empowering young women to lead community initiatives can significantly reduce vulnerability to drug use while fostering resilience and leadership skills across communities.
The First Lady’s call to action comes amid growing reports of kush proliferation in both urban centers and rural towns, raising alarm among families, educators, and local authorities. Recent studies indicate that synthetic drugs are increasingly accessible to adolescents and young adults, often facilitated by clandestine networks and a lack of community oversight.
By appealing for national unity, the First Lady framed the challenge not merely as a policing issue but as a collective responsibility that requires sustained engagement from all sectors. “This is a fight for our future,” she said. “Every parent, every community leader, every policymaker, every Sierra Leonean has a role to play. Together, we can safeguard the promise of our youth and protect the nation from the consequences of inaction.”
Her remarks were met with enthusiastic support from attendees, many of whom pledged to implement localized programs, strengthen advocacy campaigns, and collaborate with government agencies to create safe spaces for young people. The event concluded with a commitment to follow up on actionable initiatives, reinforcing the First Lady’s vision of a cohesive, proactive, and youth-centered approach to national development.
Through her engagement, the First Lady has positioned herself as a leading advocate for both youth empowerment and public health, linking drug prevention with the broader mission of sustainable development, social cohesion, and national resilience. Her message is clear: the future of Sierra Leone depends on protecting its youth today.
