The Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC), under the distinguished leadership of Chairman Kasho J. Holland Cole, on Wednesday convened a District Stakeholders Engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration in the fight against Kush and other dangerous drug substances that are destroying the lives of young people in the district.
The engagement, which was chaired by the Deputy Chief Administrator, Mr. Peter Koroma, brought together a cross-section of key stakeholders including representatives from the Sierra Leone Police, Sierra Leone Prisons Service, Civil Society Organizations, the District Health Management Team (DHMT), village heads, councilors, youth and children representatives, students, community-based organizations, religious leaders, and members of the press.
During the session, the Local Unit Commander (LUC) of the Sierra Leone Police in Waterloo, LUC Bankoleh, expressed deep appreciation to the Council for taking proactive steps in joining the national campaign against drug abuse. He emphasized that the Police do not operate by magic but rely on intelligence, information, and community compliance. He therefore called for strong collaboration and active public participation in identifying and reporting sellers, traffickers, and all individuals involved in the circulation of Kush and related substances.
Representing Civil Society, Madam Dorris Webber underscored the vital role of community participation and collective responsibility in addressing the growing drug menace. She encouraged all sectors to play their part in safeguarding the lives of young people who are the future of the nation.
In her statement, the Environmental and Social Officer of WARDC, Mrs. Nanah Jalloh Conteh, briefed the gathering on how the Council continues to manage abandoned corpses across the district. She clarified that the Council only proceeds with the burial of unidentified bodies after official clearance from the Police and urged stakeholders to be aware of this important coordination process.
The District Medical Officer (DMO) also made a significant intervention, providing professional advice on how health institutions, community leaders, and law enforcement agencies can collaborate in handling victims of drug abuse, particularly Kush users.
Delivering his keynote address, Chairman Kasho J. Holland Cole passionately spoke about the devastating impact of Kush on families and communities. He emphasized that the fight against drugs is not the responsibility of one person or institution alone, but a collective moral and civic duty to save the next generation from self-destruction.
Chairman Cole reaffirmed the Council’s full commitment to the campaign against drug abuse, disclosing plans to establish treatment centers within the district for victims of Kush, set up a District Task Force to monitor and arrest those involved in the sale and production of drugs, introduce a dedicated reporting hotline for citizens to report sellers and traffickers directly to the Police, and strengthen collaboration with health institutions and community groups to rehabilitate victims.
He assured all present that the Western Area Rural District Council will continue to partner with the Police, health institutions, and community organizations to bring sustainable solutions to this national crisis.
The engagement concluded with a collective resolution by all participants to support ongoing efforts and enhance coordination in the fight against Kush and other harmful substances that continue to threaten the wellbeing of Sierra Leone’s youth.
