𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝟒𝟑 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬, 𝐁𝐨 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭
𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚, 𝐁𝐨, 𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
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 government’s 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, 𝐌𝐫𝐬. 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐲 – 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 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 government’s 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 Health’s 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 government’s 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.
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭:
𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚, 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫
+𝟐𝟑𝟐 𝟕𝟐 𝟓𝟑𝟕 𝟎𝟑𝟓 | 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦.𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫.𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐰@𝐦𝐨𝐢𝐜.𝐠𝐨𝐯.𝐬𝐥