By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Flagbearer aspirant for the All People’s Congress (APC) Party, Dr Ibrahim Bangura, has called for a comprehensive and coordinated national response to tackle the growing Kush crisis in Sierra Leone. Speaking on the issue that continues to ravage communities and destroy young lives, Dr Bangura proposed what he described as a “two-track strategy” that prioritizes public health interventions alongside targeted law enforcement efforts.
According to him, the country must first treat Kush addiction as a public health emergency and not merely a criminal issue. He emphasized that effective rehabilitation and prevention require a functional support system involving professionals and community engagement. “Sierra Leone needs a two-track strategy: public health first, and targeted enforcement second,” Dr Bangura stated. “We must build functioning rehabilitation centres with trained psychiatrists, addiction specialists, social workers, and peer mentors. These centres should not only focus on treatment but also on reintegration and continuous community support.”
He underscored the urgent need for the government to invest in modern rehabilitation facilities across the country to provide care for victims of substance abuse, particularly the youth. He added that well-trained health professionals and social workers are vital in ensuring that victims receive proper psychological and emotional care to help them recover and reintegrate into society.
Dr Bangura further called for the establishment and equipping of forensic laboratories capable of testing seized Kush and other harmful substances. He said such laboratories would enable authorities to identify chemical compositions and patterns, trace sources, and support more effective law enforcement operations. “Equipping forensic labs to test seized Kush, identify chemical signatures, and publish regular bulletins will help us stay ahead of traffickers and inform the public about emerging threats,” he explained.
He stressed that the Kush problem cannot be solved by arrests alone, warning that without addressing the root causes, such as unemployment, mental health challenges, and social neglect, the cycle of addiction and crime will continue.
Dr Bangura urged communities, civil society, and religious institutions to join hands in what he described as a “national fight.” He reiterated that the battle against Kush is not a partisan issue but a collective responsibility that requires every Sierra Leonean’s contribution.
“This is a national fight,” he concluded. “We must all come together, government, opposition, parents, youth, and community leaders, to save our young generation and secure the future of our nation.”
