Rising Drug Crisis Threatens Sierra Leone’s Future and Journalists’ Safety

By Alex Paul Bangah – Health and Social Affairs Correspondent

Sierra Leone stands at a critical crossroads as drug abuse continues to ravage communities, leaving behind broken families, lost youth, and a shaken national image. What began as a silent health problem has now evolved into a national emergency, one that exposes deep-rooted issues of power, corruption, and press intimidation.

In recent years, the streets of Freetown, Makeni, Kono, Bo, and other parts of the country have witnessed a worrying surge in the use of kush, a deadly synthetic substance mixed with cannabis, chemicals, and in some cases, human remains. Health officials are overwhelmed by the growing number of young people collapsing, hallucinating, or dying from overdoses.

But while the public bears the brunt of this health crisis, insiders say the real battle lies behind closed doors. Sources within law enforcement allege that some high-profile individuals are directly involved in the importation and distribution of these narcotics, using their influence to evade scrutiny.

“The system is compromised,” said a social worker in Freetown who requested anonymity. “Those who should protect the nation are sometimes the same people enabling the trade.”

The issue has not only stained Sierra Leone’s international image but also put honest voices at risk—especially journalists and activists. A recent case that drew national attention involves Amadu Lamrana Bah, a respected broadcaster who faced multiple threats after airing a segment on the growing drug problem during his weekly talk show. Bah questioned how drugs continue to flood the country despite multiple government crackdowns.

Within days of his program, he began receiving intimidating messages and anonymous calls warning him to stop “digging too deep.” His experience underscores a growing concern: press freedom is under attack.

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) condemned the threats, describing them as “a dangerous attempt to silence the truth.” The association stressed that journalists must be free to hold authorities accountable without fear for their lives.

Meanwhile, public health experts warn that the drug epidemic could cripple the country’s future workforce. “Addiction is spreading faster than our capacity to control it,” said Dr. Mariatu Conteh, a mental health specialist at Connaught Hospital. “Every day we lose another young person to this poison, and that means we are losing our future leaders.”

Community activists are urging the government to take stronger action through tougher law enforcement, better rehabilitation programs, and sustained public awareness campaigns targeting schools and youth groups. Yet many remain skeptical, arguing that without the political will to confront those behind the trade, any effort will be short-lived.

As Sierra Leone struggles to contain both the drug crisis and the threats against journalists exposing it, one truth stands clear: the fight against drug abuse is not only about health, it is about justice, accountability, and the freedom to speak truth to power.