…Says Pillar Lead
By Kadiatu Sankoh
At the weekly press conference hosted by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education at the Miatta Civic Centre on Tuesday, November 5, 2025, Alfred Moi Jamiru, Pillar Lead for Community Engagement in the National Task Force on Drugs and Substance Abuse, and also Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, emphasized the significance of consistent community involvement in combating the rising kush menace in the country.
Mr Jamiru stated that community engagement must be ongoing despite the associated costs, as it is crucial in the fight against kush.
He praised the media’s role in spreading awareness and information to communities, and recognized journalists as critical partners in the fight against kush, reflecting on the initial shock caused by graphic images of victims online. “While those images pushed for urgent public concern and outreach efforts, they also caused many kush users to go underground, making it difficult to reach them,” he revealed.
“Recently, in raising awareness for Kush, we have been able to launch in key towns like Kenema, Bo and Makeni, successfully mobilizing traditional leaders, which has been essential in communities’ acceptance and participation,” he said.
Referencing the Ebola and COVID-19 crises, Mr Jamiru recalled the important role Paramount Chiefs and local councils played in leading local efforts at the time. He also stressed that bringing these local leaders on board now is vital for success in the Kush fight.
He expressed that he has been witnessing firsthand the destructive impact of kush on young people, including university students and graduates in Bo and other places, saying the drug influences all persons regardless of social class. He urged that the fight against kush be a united national effort that is coordinated through structured district councils and inter-ministerial partnerships, and challenges encountered be brought to the attention of Professor Foday Sahr for action.
Mr Jamiru applauded the continuous support of the Inter-Religious Council and community radio networks for their commitment to spreading anti-kush messages in their congregations and communities. Responding to concerns about the recent induction of 17 Paramount Chiefs in Kambia, Mr Jamiru defended the integrity of the event and the honors awarded despite differing opinions.
Regarding data on kush-related fatalities, he addressed differences in figures reported by the Freetown City Council to the public, as compared to the report they received, and assured that ongoing collaborations are working to match data for transparency.
Closing, he expressed optimism that through collective action and persistence, “we will overcome this devastating epidemic for the benefit and future of all concerned.”