๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐๐๐ค๐ฌ, ๐๐จ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ญ
๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฆ๐, ๐๐จ, ๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ง๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐
The Ministry of Social Welfare Government of Sierra Leone has successfully discharged 43 #formerdrugaddicts after they completed a structured rehabilitation programme at Gondama Barracks in #Bo District. This event recently marked a significant milestone in the governmentโs fight against drug abuse and social exclusion.
The ceremony brought together government officials, traditional authorities, health professionals, faith leaders, families, and community members, all united in celebrating recovery, hope, and reintegration. The atmosphere was emotional and reflective, as the discharged individuals stood as living testaments to the transformation brought about by sustained care, counselling, and support.
Delivering her keynote address, ๐๐ซ๐ฌ. ๐๐๐ฅ๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ โ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ emphasised that #drugabuse, including the dangerous substance popularly known as #Kush, has caused serious harm to individuals, families, and national development. She stressed that while some people once perceived the drug as harmless, its devastating effects have now become evident, draining lives and resources that should be invested in human capital development.
The Honourable Minister reaffirmed the governmentโs commitment to rehabilitation over condemnation, urging beneficiaries to embrace discipline, responsibility, and positive change as they return to their communities. She further called on citizens to work together to protect the future of the country by rejecting drugs and supporting reintegration efforts.
Representing the Paramount Chief, Rev. Stephen James Foyah described the programme as deeply emotional and impactful, noting that drug abuse is not only a government issue but a collective community responsibility. He praised the Ministry and its partners for their dedication, stressing that successful reintegration depends on acceptance, continuous guidance, and community support.
Rev. Foyah encouraged the discharged beneficiaries to be intentional and deliberate in utilising the empowerment they had received, while urging families, traditional leaders, and society at large to welcome them without stigma. The ceremony ended with renewed hope that, through unity and shared responsibility, lasting change can be achieved in the fight against drug abuse.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Amara Stevens Ngegbai, the Bo District Medical Officer, highlighted the emotional impact of seeing parents reunited with their children and reaffirmed the Ministry of Healthโs long-term commitment to drug prevention and treatment. He warned of the dangers of relapse and emphasised that sustained psychosocial support is critical to recovery.
Dr. Abdul K. Mbawah also encouraged the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity for a new beginning, while reiterating the governmentโs resolve to invest in human capital development and community-based reintegration. He urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure the discharged beneficiaries become productive citizens, stating that the success of the programme will ultimately be measured by the positive change seen in homes, communities, and the nation at large.
๐ ๐จ๐ซ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ, ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐๐๐ญ:
๐๐๐ฅ๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐, ๐๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ซ
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