The National Coordinator of the National Taskforce on Drug and Substance Abuse, Prof Foday Sahr, has told journalists that they aim to reduce illicit drugs use by 80%.
He recently made this statement at a weekly government press conference.
Highlighting the gains of the NTFDSA, he also says they want to reduce the supply of drugs by 80% in the country and they are putting strategic measures in place.
He disclosed that they would also identify the active ingredients of the Kush-drug, thereby establishing more rehabilitation centers.
And they will reintegrate drug-victims into the society through collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare.
As part of their strategies used to curb the prevalence of illicit drugs in the country, he underscored the significance of post-treatment response and drug control laws.
He stressed the essence of reviewing the drug control laws, adding that they are seeking to reach at least 70% of districts in the country.
Last month, the Ministry of Social Welfare reintegrated about 40 drug-survivors, and on this, Prof Sahr said they will foster treatment expansion in an effort to increase the number of drug-survivors.
“For treatment opportunities, we want to map and secure resources for victims recovering from the rehabilitation centers,” he disclosed.
Despite there is no empirical statistics of the death toll of drugs in the country, Prof Sahr asserted that drug-related cases have increased to over 1,800 % while Kush-related cases have skyrocketed to over 3,000%.
The available statistics is given by Kissy Mental Home.
Revealing the number of admitted cases of drug victims, he affirmed that the NTFDSA is yet to provide a baseline data on the death toll and the prevalence of illicit drugs.
The NTFDSA was established by President Julius Maada Bio last month to wipe out illegal drugs in the country.
The taskforce was formed after president Bio declared a state of emergency on illicit drugs and harmful substances in the country.