By Hassan Osman Kargbo
State House Communications Director, Myk Berewa, has noted that while the government continues to confront the growing kush crisis across Sierra Leone, some sections of the public are “over-exaggerating” the scale and impact of the problem.
Speaking in response to ongoing discussions surrounding alleged kush-related deaths in Freetown, Berewa questioned the accuracy of reports suggesting that more than 200 people had been buried due to kush abuse. His comments come after the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs called on the Freetown City Council to provide evidence to support the claim.
Berewa emphasized the importance of credible and verifiable data when discussing an issue as sensitive as drug abuse, noting that sensational figures could mislead the public and undermine government-led interventions.
He stated that Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr should have collaborated with relevant national institutions, including the police, the Ministry of Health, and the Anti-Drugs Task Force, to ensure that any reported statistics on kush-related deaths were supported by proper investigations.
“Such collaboration would have given credibility to the information and helped prevent unnecessary confusion or doubt,” Berewa said. “We are not denying that kush is a real problem, but exaggeration does not help the fight.”
The State House official reaffirmed that the government has prioritized tackling drug abuse through law enforcement operations, public awareness campaigns, and rehabilitation programs for young addicts. He added that President Julius Maada Bio’s administration is deeply concerned about the rise in kush consumption, particularly among youth, and is taking concrete steps to address it.
Berewa, however, warned against politicizing the crisis or spreading unverified claims that could create panic. “We must deal with facts and evidence,” he said. “If we are going to solve this problem, we need a coordinated national approach based on truth and collaboration, not alarmist narratives.”
His remarks come amid heightened national attention on the kush epidemic, which has ravaged communities and fueled rising mental health concerns. Civil society groups and health experts have urged stronger government action, calling the drug’s spread a national emergency.
Despite Berewa’s caution about exaggeration, he acknowledged that the issue remains a serious public health challenge requiring the combined efforts of all stakeholders.
“The fight against kush must continue,” he concluded, “but it must be guided by facts, coordination, and shared responsibility.”
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