BftW-CPS Network Celebrates International Day of Peace with a Campaign against the Deadly Kush Drug in Sierra Leone

“As a network, we join hands with government to drive kush away from Sierra Leone in order to allow the development of our youth and communities to take centre stage. So, let’s all say “no to kush” in Sierra Leone!”. This was a loud call made in Bo city by the Bread for the World (BftW) Civil Peace Service (CPS) Network in Sierra Leone during the International Day of Peace.

The International Day of Peace, also known as “Peace Day”, is observed across the world on 21^st September every year. It was established in 1981 by the United Nations as a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.

Even though the global theme for this year is; “cultivating a culture of peace”, the BftW-CPS Network partners in Sierra Leone unanimously agreed to raise public awareness about a deadly drug called, “kush” with the theme; “collective action to stop substance abuse (kush) in Sierra Leone”. This was meant to support ongoing actions by government and its partners to stop the steep rise in the use of the deadly synthetic drug that continues to kill hundreds of young people, and has rendered thousands mentally and physically incapacitated.

Partners rolled out series of sensitization engagements including radio and television discussion programmes, community and stakeholders’ engagements, radio jingles and community dramas with key messages across the regions. In all the engagements, young people, especially rehabilitated kush victims were made to talk to their peers about the drug and its devastating effects. Also, parliamentarians, women’s leaders, traditional and religious leaders, and law enforcement authorities featured in the sessions organised by partners to prevail on the general public to put a stop on the importation, sale and consumption of the deadly drug in the country.

The event was climaxed in Bo city, southern Sierra Leone, with a float parade across some major streets during which partners spoke to the public about the dangers of kush. The procession ended with a stakeholder engagement at the headquarters of the host institution – the Sierra Leone Opportunities Industrialization Centre (SLOIC).

The SLOIC drama group staged a thrilling performance of a skit clearly explaining the dangers involved in dealing and consuming kush. The messages in the drama were referenced in most of the statements delivered by various speakers. Bamike Williams, Executive Secretary of SLADEA asserted that, he was sure the message delivered in the drama sank down to the victims as well as the parents of the victims. “We will not get tired to sensitise our people about this dangerous drug. I want to urge our people to join us, the CPS partners, to continue talking to community folks about kush. Let the Imams and Pastors use their pulpits to preach against kush. I also encourage the young people to talk to their peers in ataya bases, football fields and cinemas about kush”, he prevailed on the audience.

Speaker after speaker highlighted the role of citizens, especially the law enforcement authorities and young people in combating the importation, distribution and consumption of kush in the country. Kush is generally described by most present as a threat to national peace. Dr. Sheku Kamara, one of the National Coordinators of CPS in Sierra Leone said, peace does not only mean when there is no armed conflict. He added that, there can also be no peace if people ignore those little things that hold them together with love. Also, there is no peace if there is hunger, unemployment, proliferation of dangerous drugs and substances like kush, among other things in the country. Edward Conteh who represented MADAM organisation declared that, the CPS Network decided to commemorate this day focusing on kush because the youth who are supposed to be the primary movers of the economy are the victims of this deadly drug. “They have been hugely affected to the extent that they are not able to think progressively anymore”, he warned.

Ibrahim Gandi Jr of the Interpol in the Sierra Leone Police sensitised participants about some key drug laws. He said, permitting the sale of drugs in one’s premises is a crime; unlawfully possessing harmful drugs and substances is a crime; frequenting oneself around a suspected drugs area is also a crime. He called on the public to be vigilant and help the Police in the fight against Kush.

Joseph D. Blackie, Chairman of the Civil Society Forum in Bo urged the Police to also be more proactive and vigilant in searching vehicles, especially private cars and government buses for kush and other dangerous substances. He ended by saying that, until everyone says, “no to kush” in every community, young people will continue to die in huge numbers.

The event was generally hailed as the best Peace Day climax event to have been organised by the CPS, thanks to Ben Sei, Executive Director of SLOIC and his team. “This is the 12^th IDP celebration I am witnessing as National Coordinator of the CPS, and the second that BftW partners are single-handedly celebrating. My colleague and I have no doubt that this is the best among all ever organised”, Adenike Cole, National Coordinator of CPS in Sierra Leone made this assertion in one of her statements.

It is hoped that all the calls made by key stakeholders and young people in the various engagements across the regions will be heeded to. As already emphasised in most of the statements, the fight against the deadly kush and dangerous substances requires concerted efforts from all and sundry. Sierra Leone cannot, and will never succeed in eradicating kush from every corner if the chain of supply is not completely broken.