By Ragan M Conteh
MPs in Sierra Leone have demanded for a State of Emergency to be imposed on Kush smoking in Sierra Leone.
They wish Kush be declared a public health emergency, like in the case of Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics, which were declared emergency outbreaks in the country.
In a bid to get away of the deadly health risk being smoked by youth, the House of Parliament, had unanimously agreed to drag in the well the country’s Inspector General of Sierra Leone Police, the head of Sierra Leone Ports and Habour Authority (SLPHA) and the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) respectively.
The following institutions are to appear before parliament on Monday 18, March 2024.
The summon of these authorities is for them to answer questions regarding the impact of kush on the lives of the youthful population in Sierra Leone.
Making his submission in the well, the Opposition Chief Whip, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, brought the attention to the house to the ravage of kush (narcotic drug) onto those he referred to as 21st generation of the nation.
Two days ago, Hon. Kamara, narrated that he saw some group young dead men at Mabela community in Freetown.
He said he was told they died of kush.
Hon. Kamara said it is only when tough actions are taken that would enable Kush to be totally fought off as a menace in our societies.
The Leader of Government Business in the House of Parliament Hon. Sahr Matthew Nyuma also urged President Bio to declare public health emergency against kush as they did in the case of Ebola and COVID-19 p outbreaks in Sierra Leone.
Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay from Moyamba district added that she was willing and ready to join the fight against the ‘kush tsumani’ in the country.
He added that owing to the too much intake of the substance by the youths, the country is losing future lawmakers, presidents, ministers and among others.
Hon Sesay suggested for government to involve donor partners in the fight like in the case of the past epidemic and pandemic, ebola and covid.
Making his response, the deputy speaker of the House of Parliament,
Hon. Sengepoh Solomon Thomas, who presided over the Tuesday’s proceeding admitted that kush smoking by the youth has become a serious issue and so it must be treated with the utmost seriousness it deserves.
Hon. Sengepoh Solomon Thomas cautioned MPs to be careful with their food as he understood the kush substance is now being injected into food by unscrupulous persons unknowingly to the innocent.