In a significant escalation of the national response to drug abuse and trafficking, Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio today unveiled five decisive measures aimed at curbing the devastating impact of the synthetic drug known as Kush.
During a High-Level Engagement at State House, the President outlined a multi-pronged strategy encompassing specialized funding, judicial reform, enhanced law enforcement, and stricter penalties to tackle the crisis head-on.
The newly announced measures are designed to ensure faster prosecution of drug offenders, increase the severity of punishment, and provide dedicated resources for prevention and rehabilitation.
A dedicated national fund will be created exclusively to finance the comprehensive response, covering prevention, care and treatment, social support, law enforcement, and community engagement programs. To deliver swift justice, a Special Drug Court will be established. This court will fast-track drug-related cases and utilize designated judges and magistrates to ensure rapid resolution.
A joint force comprising the Operational Support Division (OSD) and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) will be deployed as a Special Security Unit. This unit is tasked with raiding known drug hotspots and conducting on-the-spot arrests nationwide. The Chief Justice is directed to issue new sentencing guidelines. This measure aims to introduce consistency and tougher penalties across the board for all drug-related offenses.
The Attorney-General will strengthen existing legislation to enforce harsher penalties on offenders. Crucially, the measure also mandates the seizure of assets belonging to traffickers and dealers, targeting the financial networks behind the illicit trade.
The announcement signals the government’s commitment to treating the proliferation of Kush—a synthetic cannabinoid causing widespread social and health crises—as a national emergency requiring an immediate and coordinated institutional response.
ABJ/APA