AYV News, August 12, 2025
Top lawmakers from both the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Party have raised concerns over the increasing use of harmful drugs among young people in Sierra Leone.
According to Africa 24 Communications Newspaper, they are calling on the youth to stop engaging in drug use and to focus on building better lives for themselves.
The warning came from Matthew Sahr Nyuma, the SLPP Member of Parliament for Kenema district and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, during a recent parliamentary debate on the drug problem in the country. Abdul Kargbo, the APC leader of opposition in Parliament, also spoke during the session, supporting the call for urgent action against drug abuse.
Nyuma pointed out the importance of youth awareness ofdrug abuse. He said Parliament has passed laws addressing drug use and abuse, including the approval of a state of emergency on drugs. This measure gives law enforcement agencies the authority to take stronger action against those involved in drug trafficking and use.
However, he also said the responsibility is not just on the authorities; young people themselves must take charge and avoid harmful drugs to protect their future.
He encouraged youths to upgrade their skills, become productive, and stay away from drug use, warning that continuing down the path of drug abuse leads to “uselessness” and destruction of their lives.
Kargbo supported these statements by sharing the story of a young man whose life was ruined by Kush. The young man had been enrolled at Milton Margai Technical University, with tuition and expenses paid by Kargbo. Despite this support, the young man dropped out of school after only three weeks and became addicted to Kush. The addiction led to him living under bridges and scavenging scrap metal to survive. His wife and two children are now under the care of the opposition leader.
This example shows the deep and damaging impact drugs like Kush are having on the youth of Sierra Leone. Kargbo urged fellow politicians, government agencies, and law enforcement to work together to protect young people from falling into drug abuse.
He also called on the Youth Commission, which works on youth affairs, to focus more on creating job opportunities for young people. Providing jobs would help keep them busy and reduce their likelihood of turning to drugs.
While acknowledging the appointment of youth leaders by the President as a positive step, Kargbo encouraged the government to do more in governance and development to support the country’s youth and citizens at large.
Both leaders agreed that tackling drug abuse requires cooperation among the government, lawmakers, law enforcement agencies, and the youth themselves.
