There has been a clarion call for the Government of Sierra Leone to investigate the root and not the fruit of Kush and its misuse in Sierra Leone, thereby bringing to book those importers bringing in the killer drug into the country.
This call has come as a complement to several calls for the Parliament of Sierra Leone to pass an Emergency Law against Kush and its misuse.
Dr. Patrick Peterson, a Sierra Leonean Medical Doctor based in the UK, through a telephone interview with AYV said: “The government must investigate those importers who smuggle the killer drug into the country and the retailers who sell the Kush to our youth. They are the worst enemies of the state and they should be arrested, charged to court and if found guilty, fined heavily and jailed”.
There have also been calls for tough legal sanctions on the importation and sale of Kush, coupled with tough new laws against all narcotic drugs, there importation, wholesale and retail.
The recent loss of thirty-two young individuals to Kush in Sierra Leone is a serious matter that cannot be taken lightly. The impact of losing such a significant number of potential youngmen and women is similar to facing a pandemic in Sierra Leone.
Many Serra Leoneans are calling on His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio to promptly schedule a national address to confront this pressing issue head-on, as according to many people, the prevalence of Kush and its devastating effects on the country’s citizens cannot be ignored.
The need for Sierra Leone and its people to unite in their resolve to tackle this issue and safeguard the well-being of the nation’s youth cannot be overemphasised.
Recently, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has unanimously decided to invite the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Welfare, head of the Sierra Leone Police, and the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency to appear before the House of Parliament to update on the incessant and negative impact of Kush.
In lieu of the aforesaid, it is expected that Parliament would take appropriate measures to combat the situations in the country.
On the contrary, critics argue that if the government is truly committed to combating the spread of Kush and preventing further tragedies, efforts should not only focus on punishing end-users but also on targeting those responsible for its import and distribution within the country.
By investigating the sources of the illicit substance and holding perpetrators accountable, authorities can address the root of the issue and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
