Social Welfare Ministry, CADacT Rally Behind Youth at Daru Drug Rehab Centre

The Ministry of Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Coalition Against Drug Abuse and Community Transformation Sierra Leone (CADacT-SL), visited the Government’s Harmful Drug Rehabilitation Facility in Daru, Jawie Chiefdom, Kailahun District, on 18 November 2025.

The visit aimed to assess the progress of recovering victims and reaffirm the government’s commitment to ending the harmful drug pandemic affecting Sierra Leone’s youth.

Darlington Kajua Sesay, Director of Social Welfare East, highlighted the government’s multi-pronged approach, noting that rehabilitation facilities have been established in Hastings (Freetown), Gondama (Bo), and Daru (Kailahun), with plans underway to open a centre in Teko (Makeni). He added that support from the military has been instrumental in strengthening these facilities.

Andrew Saffa, CEO of CADacT-SL, expressed concern over the rising abuse of Kush and other synthetic substances, describing the trend as a national crisis. He praised Minister Melrose Karminty for her robust support in the fight against drugs and reaffirmed CADacT-SL’s commitment to prevention, rehabilitation, and justice.

Madam Nancy Admire Mustapha, Executive Director of Widows Empowerment, became emotional while listening to victims’ testimonials. She called on the youth to safeguard their future.

Sub-Inspector Brima James Musa, Head of Media for Sierra Leone Police East, condemned those involved in the production and sale of Kush, particularly parents profiting from the illicit trade, calling it a betrayal of parental duty.

Pastor Solomon Kamara, Acting Centre Coordinator at the Daru Drug Rehabilitation Centre, thanked President Bio for his leadership and described the intervention as timely and crucial.

Elizabeth Katay Toogbabu, a social worker at the Kenema Regional Office, provided an overview of the centre, noting that it currently houses 39 service users 34 male and 5 female organized into separate male and female sections with dedicated billets.

The visit concluded with a group photo and psychosocial counselling for the residents.