Drug Crisis Among Sierra Leonean Youth “must not be reduced to political arguments”: Catholic Priest’s President

Freetown, 18 October, 2025 / 8:39 PM

The President of the Catholic Priests in Sierra Leone has urged the people of God  in the West African nation to come together in tackling the growing problem of drug abuse among young people, warning against politicizing the issue.

In a reflection shared on his Facebook page on Thursday, October 16, Fr. Peter Konteh expressed concern that the growing use of a drug known as “kush” which has been officially classified by authorities in the country as a national epidemic, poses a serious threat to the future of the nation’s youth.

“The calamity we are experiencing in Sierra Leone must not be reduced to political arguments between ‘you and them’ or ‘us and them.’ This is a national emergency that requires unity, compassion, and moral courage,” Fr. Konteh said,

He added, “We are facing a desperate situation that threatens the future of our young people, as the devastating spread of dangerous drugs continues to destroy lives and families.”

In his reflection, Fr. Konteh who also serves as the Second Vice President of the Religious Union of the Diocesan Priests of West Africa (RUPWA) urged religious leaders, community elders, and civil society organizations to immediately rise above silence and address the issue.

“We must speak the truth, confront the root causes, and help identify the suppliers, traffickers, and dealers who are poisoning our nation’s youth,” the Priest who also serves as the Executive Director of Caritas Freetown, the development arm of the Sierra Leonean Archdiocese said.

Fr. Konteh explained that the drug crisis in the country reflects the deep unemployment and hopelessness affecting young people across Sierra Leone.

“Every day, many roam the streets of Freetown and other towns without jobs, purpose, or opportunity. When youth lose hope, they become vulnerable to despair and destruction,” he said in his October 16 reflection.

He added, “Let us move away from blame and insults on social media and instead focus our energy on solutions, creating jobs, expanding education, supporting rehabilitation, and building mentorship programs.”

Underscoring the need to keep politics out of the matter, Fr. Konteh emphasized, “This is not a time for politics; it is a moment for national unity and decisive action. The future of Sierra Leone depends on what we do now, together.”

Earlier in his homily on Sunday, October 12, during the celebration of the feast of  St. Edward the Confessor, patron saint of the Archdiocese of Freetown, Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles appealed for dialogue with young people in the West African nation expressing concern that many are dying from the use of drugs.

The effects of “kush”, Archbishop Tamba Charles lamented, have been so devastating that young people are being found dead on the streets after using the drug. He said that  the Freetown City Council has even set up a special “burial team” to collect and bury the bodies of victims found across the Sierra Leonean capital.

During the celebration that was held at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Newton community, Archbishop Tamba Charles appealed to young people to reach out to their peers who are using “kush” and try to reason with them.

“I appeal that we all talk to the youths close to us that we know are taking those hard drugs, to consider the suffering to which they are subjecting themselves, their families and loved ones, their communities, and our country,” he said.

He added, “I make a special appeal to the youths who know the language of those taking drugs to talk to their fellow youths about the dangerous effects of those drugs on their health and self-esteem.”

The Catholic Church leader expressed concern that young Sierra Leoneans, disappointed by the lack of employment, are now opting to drown their frustrations in “kush” and “tramadol” and are dying “like stray dogs”.