Caritas Freetown Opens New Centre to Combat Kush Epidemic.

In a significant national stride against the devastating drug crisis, Caritas Freetown has officially opened the Kush Rehabilitation and Empowerment Centre in Newton. This new facility, located in Makomba, Newton Village (4 Mile), represents a major coordinated effort to rescue young people from the grip of addiction and offer them a path to recovery.

The centre’s establishment is the result of a powerful collaboration between Caritas Freetown, government agencies, and international partners. Key donor organizations Fundación Atabal, ONG Guaguacula, and Visión Sin Fronteras were hailed for their crucial financial and technical support, which turned the project from a vision into a reality.

The commissioning ceremony united a broad coalition of stakeholders, from government and security sectors to community leaders and civil society. The event was chaired by Mohamed Momph Foday, District Planning Officer, and graced by figures including Prof. Foday Sahr and Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, who joined other religious representatives to inaugurate the new centre.

In a heartfelt keynote address, Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, Executive Director of Caritas Freetown, framed the day as one of “hope, healing, and new beginnings” for Sierra Leone. He stressed that the centre is a tangible symbol of the nation's resolve to protect its youth and restore community dignity. “We refuse to watch addiction destroy our communities. We choose life. We choose dignity. We choose compassion,” he stated, powerfully reframing addiction as a medical and social challenge, not a moral failure.

The centre is designed to offer a full spectrum of support for recovery. Its programs include essential medical and psychological care, counseling, trauma-healing sessions, and empowerment initiatives. Beyond immediate health needs, it will provide skills training and reintegration support within a safe, structured residential environment, equipping individuals to rebuild their lives.

The initiative has received resounding support from national authorities. Ibrahim Samuel Dugba of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) thanked Caritas for its leadership and reaffirmed the agency's commitment to stronger collaboration in the fight against drugs.

Ansu Konneh, representing the Ministry of Social Welfare, praised the partnership for complementing the government's efforts. He made a direct appeal to the community to protect the facility and ensure it remains a dedicated space for healing.

Highlighting the mental health crisis exacerbated by drug use, Dr. Elizabeth Alieu, Acting Medical Superintendent for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, commended Caritas for creating a holistic and structured environment for vulnerable adolescents and other victims.

Serving as Guest of Honour, Prof. Foday Sahr, National Coordinator of the Task Force on Drugs, outlined the crippling impact of kush on education, health, and family life. He praised Caritas’s strategic approach, which combines community engagement, healthcare, social reintegration, and law enforcement collaboration as essential pillars for a national solution.

The event culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, followed by group photographs with officials and partners. In a vote of thanks, Project Supervisor Murray Massaquoi expressed profound gratitude to the international donors and national stakeholders whose collective effort made the centre possible.

With its doors now open, the Kush Rehabilitation and Empowerment Centre stands as a critical new asset for Sierra Leone a dedicated place to support recovery, restore dignity, and provide a meaningful pathway to healing for individuals and families nationwide.

Correspondent: Kelvin Mark Kargbo

Communications Unit, Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs

Email:mkelson367@gmail.com