Police Target Drug Abuse in Kenema Schools
The Kenema Division of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has conducted a sensitisation campaign at two secondary schools in Kenema to educate pupils on drug abuse, sexual violence, school discipline and crime prevention.
The campaign, led by the Local Unit Commander (LUC) of Kenema Division, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Osman Kamara, targeted pupils and staff of Ansarul Islamic Secondary School and Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School as part of the division’s School Policing and Community Outreach Strategy.
Addressing pupils at both schools, CSP Kamara urged them to remain disciplined, law-abiding and committed to their education. He cautioned against drug abuse, gangsterism, cultism and examination malpractice, warning that poor decisions could jeopardise their future.
He also assured the school administrations of the police’s continued support and partnership in promoting safe learning environments.
During the engagements, Inspector Francis Lebbie of the Family Support Unit (FSU) educated pupils on the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act of 2019, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), early marriage, teenage pregnancy and child exploitation.
Inspector Lebbie encouraged pupils to protect themselves against sexual abuse and report incidents of harassment to their parents, teachers or the Family Support Unit. He further warned that early sexual activity and marriage could disrupt their education and limit their future opportunities.
Chief Inspector Gifty Massah Wubay of the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) highlighted the dangers associated with illicit drugs, particularly Kush, Tramadol and cannabis.
She explained that drug abuse could damage users’ mental and physical health, impair their ability to think clearly and negatively affect their future. She reaffirmed the Sierra Leone Police’s commitment to combating drug abuse.
Meanwhile, Community Relations Officer Police Constable Musa Kallon spoke on community policing, personal discipline and the importance of cooperation between the police and the public.
He encouraged pupils to provide useful information to the police that could help identify offenders and urged them to report suspicious activities in their communities.
Representatives of the beneficiary schools expressed appreciation to CSP Kamara and his team for the initiative. Mr Umaru Koroma of Ansarul Islamic Secondary School and the principal of Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School described the sensitisation exercise as informative and called for similar engagements to be organised regularly.
The campaign concluded with interactive sessions during which pupils asked questions and received responses from the police personnel.
The initiative forms part of the Kenema Division’s efforts to strengthen police-community relations, protect children and discourage young people from engaging in criminal activities.
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