Freetown’s Mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, has raised a powerful alarm over the escalating crisis of illegal substance abuse, with a particular focus on the devastating kush epidemic.
This public health and social emergency is wreaking havoc on the city’s youth, leading to widespread addiction, criminal activity, and tragic loss of life.
Despite His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio’s declaration of substance abuse as a national emergency in April 2024, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr highlights the ongoing impact on Freetown.
“Youth are dropping out of schools and universities, abandoning jobs, and sleeping rough on the streets,” the Mayor stated. Many turn to petty crime, illegal waste collection, and burglaries to sustain their addiction, while others suffer debilitating mental and physical health issues.
The Mayor recounted the heartbreaking realities witnessed daily in the city, revealing that Freetown City Council workers frequently collect the bodies of young people who have fallen victim to addiction.
“These are not just statistics; they are sons and daughters whose futures have been stolen, leaving behind grieving families,” she said.
Adding to these concerns, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr referenced recent incidents that have fueled public unease, including the unscheduled landing of a small aircraft at Hastings, the sighting of a submarine at Black Johnson Beach, and the seizure of a large quantity of cocaine in a vehicle associated with the Sierra Leone Embassy in Guinea. While government officials have denied suspicious activity surrounding the aircraft and submarine, the Mayor described these events as deeply troubling in the context of the ongoing drug epidemic.
The Mayor issued a direct appeal to President Bio and relevant government agencies to take decisive action against the illegal drug trade, calling for the closure of trafficking channels and urgent measures to combat the flow of substances like kush and cocaine into local communities.
“Our youth are not just the future of Freetown—they are integral to the present,” the Mayor emphasized. “We cannot afford complacency in the face of this crisis.”
The Freetown City Council has pledged to collaborate with the government in efforts to prevent the entry of illegal drugs, support recovery programs for addicted youth, and provide comfort to grieving families.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr concluded her call to action with a vision of hope, urging all stakeholders to join forces in reversing the devastating trend. “Together, we can ‘Transform Freetown’ and ensure that we are truly Transforming Lives.”
