By Politico Staff Writer
As a result of the alarming rate at which youths are consuming the psychoactive substance called Kush, PC Prince Lappia Boima IV from Kakua Chiefdom in Bo District has committed to put an end to the selling of the drug in the chiefdom.
The PC in an interview with Politico on the 12th of March 2024 said his primary target will be the retailers and is ready to end their sales as the drug will be confiscated. “Those who are making it possible for our children to get access to kush are the ones creating the problem, if you do not bring it to sell, people will not get access to it. We are taking the fight now to the sellers. I therefore urged all citizens to join me in this kush fight" he said.
He spoke of the negative impact the substance has had on the youths, thereby destroying the country’s human resource.
“If we do not make haste and act swiftly, our youthful population will be gone. I have seen University students leaving the University to come out to smoke kush, they are unable to do anything. It is a loss to the country" the PC said.
When asked about security presence during the operation, he said he has spoken to the Police Commander in the region, explaining that when they are ready they will arrange with the police on how to execute the operation.
PC Boima revealed that he had informed his Chiefs in different locations who are poised to carry out the operation,. “We in Kakua chiefdom will set the example, and other chiefdoms will follow. We have the council of paramount chiefs in Sierra Leone I am sure my colleagues will join me later.”
Kush has become a big problem in the country, and stakeholders and other members of the society from various communities have in different ways championed the fight against it.
Recently in Pujehun District, a mud house that was identified by members of that community as a centre where the substance was sold was demolished by the youths. Last year, police also arrested a young man who took his colleagues to his mother's grave to dig and remove his mother's bones to add in the preparation of the drug.
New London Lorry Park, Shellmingo Car Wash, and other areas are among the popular places where youths are mostly seen dozing, due to the intake of the substance.
Citizens across the country have called on the government to put a stop to the importation of this harmful substance and ensure that the importers are brought to book.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (13/03/24)
