By Kemo Cham
Forty-seven (47) young people have been certified free of drug and substance abuse disorder in Daru, Kailahun, after they completed months of rehabilitation exercise.
The men and women now designated as ‘Ambassadors of Positive Change’ graduated from the Daru Rehabilitation Centre on Sunday April 26th, 2026. They will now join the national effort toward recovery and reintegration, according the National Taskforce on Drugs and Substance Abuse.
In a news release, the taskforce described the day as a “significant milestone” in Sierra Leone’s ongoing fight against drug and substance abuse.
The country has been dealing with a drug and substance abuse crisis in the last several years, with dozens of young people reported to have lost their lives due to it.
Nearly two years ago, President Julius Maada Bio declared a national emergency in response to the crisis, and he established the National Taskforce, which is chaired by Prof. Brig. Gen Foday Sahr, who is also the Executive Director of the National Public Health Agency (NPHA).
Prof. Sahr is quoted extending appreciation to the various pillar leads in the Taskforce for their support in efforts to provide rehabilitation services to those who need them.
“I extend my sincere thanks to all Pillar Leads, especially Director Ansu Konneh of the Ministry of Social Welfare, as well as General Amara Idara Bangura, Chief of Defence Staff of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, and all Commanding Officers for providing the facilities that made the establishment of these centres possible,” he said.
Through his leadership, between 24th and 26th April, 2026, a total of 187 individuals, including 19 females, successfully completed rehabilitation process. Ninety-eight (98) of these come from Hastings, 43 from Gondama, and 47 from Daru. According to the Taskforce, this brings the cumulative national total of people who have been rehabilitated to 755 beneficiaries across Government supported rehabilitation centres.
Early last week, the Taskforce announced the establishment of two new rehabilitation centers in Kono and Bombali, bringing to five the total number of such institutions in the country.
“The Taskforce acknowledges with deep appreciation the unwavering support of the Government of Sierra Leone as the primary funder of the five rehabilitation centres. We extend our sincere gratitude to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio and Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh for their steadfast moral and financial commitment to this national cause,” the Taskfroce said in the news release.
“This achievement reflects the strength of a coordinated, multisectoral approach bringing together Government, security institutions, the health sector, and community stakeholders to effectively address the challenge of drug and substance abuse,” it adds.
The Taskforce however warned that rehabilitation is only the first step in the recovery journey, noting that reintegration remains critical. It assured that government was actively putting structures in place to support these “champions” to rebuild their lives through education, skills development, and service opportunities.
It calls on all communities to reject stigma and discrimination, and to embrace and support those who are reintegrating into society.
