He made special emphasis on tobacco use; stating that tobacco use disorder is characterized by symptoms such as consuming more tobacco than intended, difficulty cutting back or quitting, cravings, and suffering adverse social consequences as a result of tobacco use.

Giving examples of substance-related disorders, the MoHS official maintained among other things that alcohol-related disorders involve the consumption of alcohol, the most widely used (and frequently overused) drug in Sierra Leone and other countries abroad.

He added that in Sierra Leone, cannabis-related disorders include symptoms such as using more than originally intended, feeling unable to stop using the drug, and continuing to use despite adverse effects in one’s life.

According to the MoHS official, inhalant-use disorder involves inhaling fumes from things such as paints or solvents and that with other substance-related disorders; people with this condition experience cravings for the substance and find it difficult to control or stop engaging in the behavior.