AYV News, August 13, 2026
Housemates Salone Season 4 winner, Suad Baydoun, has cautioned young people against turning to harmful drugs as a means of coping with stress and life’s challenges.
Speaking exclusively to AYV, Suad acknowledged the increasing pressures faced by many young people, including academic failure, unemployment, financial hardship and other personal challenges.
She encouraged young people to remain resilient and seek positive ways of dealing with difficult situations rather than resorting to substance abuse.
“A lot of people are facing lots of stress today. If you are stressed, know that you are not alone. If you fail an exam, dust yourself off, go back to your books, study hard and go back for the exams,” she said.
She further encouraged those experiencing unemployment or hardship to continue pursuing opportunities and not give up.
“If it’s a job or hardship, dust yourself off and go try again, but never should we resort to harmful drugs to fight stress,” Suad warned.
Suad’s message comes amid growing concerns about drug abuse among young people in Sierra Leone, particularly the increasing misuse of substances associated with Kush and other harmful drugs.
She urged young people to build resilience, seek support when facing difficulties and pursue healthier approaches to managing stress.
Her message reinforces the importance of youth empowerment, mental well-being and collective action in the fight against drug abuse in Sierra Leone.
