In a somber event at Kingtom Cemetery in Freetown on Saturday, November 11, 2023, twelve young lives were laid to rest due to suspected complications arising from Kush smoking.
The collaborative efforts of Sinneh Kamara, Head of National Burial at Connaught Hospital Mortuary, and the newly appointed CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), played a pivotal role in the burial.
Andrew Jaia Kai Kai, speaking at the ceremony, underscored the commitment of the Bio-led government in combating the perilous effects of the illicit drug Kush, labeling it as more dangerous than the country’s 11-year civil conflict. Kai Kai stressed the urgency of tackling Kush, which he believes is jeopardizing the nation’s present and future.
“These souls buried are our children,” Kai Kai lamented, urging collective action to eradicate the Kush menace.
He emphasized the necessity of targeting importers, manufacturers, and retailers of the illicit substance to salvage a generation at risk.
In a poignant declaration, Mr. Kai Kai pledged to dedicate his utmost efforts, even his last drop of blood, to eliminate Kush from Sierra Leone.
He warned of dire consequences if the intake of Kush persists, foreseeing a future generation with diminished cognitive abilities. Kai Kai pointed out the infiltration of Kush into schools, towns, and villages, calling for immediate action to save the lives of the country’s youth.
Sinneh Kamara, expressing grief over the burial, decried the tragic fate of the victims and condemned the preference of some Kush users to prioritize the substance over basic necessities like food.
Kamara urged notorious drug addicts to cease their illegal practices, emphasizing their crucial role in societal development.
Demonstrating solidarity, Kamara pledged the mortuary’s commitment to support the NDLEA CEO in combating the escalating issue of Kush smoking throughout the nation.
He issued a stern warning to importers and retailers of illicit drugs, urging them to halt their activities before facing legal consequences.
Kamara called on all sectors of society to collaborate with the government in identifying and prosecuting those involved in the distribution of the infamous drug.
