By Joseph Momoh, Reporter D.S
In a significant step towards addressing Sierra Leone’s drug crisis, 52 former drug users were officially reintegrated into society after completing an intensive eight-week rehabilitation program. The discharge ceremony, held at the Peace Mission Training Centre (PMTC) in Hastings, was organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare as part of its Pillar 4: Reintegration strategy.
This event marks a key milestone in the national response to the drug emergency declared by President Dr. Julius Maada Bio in 2024. Professor Sahr Foday, Executive Director of the National Public Health Agency and Chairperson of the National Taskforce on Drugs and Substance Abuse, commended the government’s holistic approach, which includes prevention, rehabilitation, law enforcement, and community engagement.
The 49 males and 3 females who completed the program did so without any incidents of escape, reflecting both their dedication and the effectiveness of the PMTC’s rehabilitation model, as noted by Colonel Abdul Baba Keita, Commandant of the centre.
Minister of Social Welfare, Hon. Melrose Karminty, announced several post-rehabilitation support measures, including educational reintegration through the Ministry of Education, vocational training opportunities, a dedicated WhatsApp helpline to combat discrimination, and starter packs containing rice, hygiene kits, and other essentials.
Karminty emphasized the importance of national support, urging families to welcome these rehabilitated individuals, whom she described as “Ambassadors of Positive Change.”
The emotional ceremony concluded with an invitation to a special interfaith service on April 27, aimed at providing spiritual support to the participants. Professor Foday encapsulated the day’s significance by stating, “Today, we do not just see former users – we see future leaders in our fight against substance abuse.”
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