Brigadier Professor Foday Sahr, Executive Director of the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), has explained in detail the five key pillars guiding the operations of the National Task Force on Drugs and Substance Abuse.
He was speaking at the weekly government press conference at the Miatta Civic Center on Tuesday, 4th November, 2025.
Professor Sahr disclosed that in April 2024, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio established the Task Force on Drugs and Substance Abuse to coordinate national efforts in addressing the rising challenge of drug misuse, particularly the spread of Kush. After a year and a half of operation, he noted, the battle continues unabated. “The fight against drugs is not a one-day thing.”
The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) headed by Prof. Foday Sahr is overseeing the national response to drug and substance abuse under the following pillars: Treatment and Care, Rehabilitation and Reintegration, Community Engagement, Prevention and Awareness, and Law Enforcement.
The Executive Director informed that at the Kissy Psychiatric Hospital alone, over 6,000 patients have been hospitalized for mental health-related conditions, with 2,300 cases linked directly to Kush abuse. He further revealed that over 1,400 health workers have received specialized training in drug treatment and mental health care as part of the government’s effort to strengthen the healthcare response.
Professor Sahr reported that three rehabilitation centers have been established across the country, including facilities Hastings, Daru, and Gondama while an additional center is under construction in Bombali District. So far, he went on, 400 drug victims have been rehabilitated and successfully reintegrated into society. “We see them as victims, so we do not criminalize them,” he emphasized.
Led by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, extensive community-level dialogues have been conducted nationwide with over 30 community meetings held with traditional, community, and religious leaders, while 50 schools and three universities have been actively engaged, according to the NPHA boss. Additionally, 52 local advisory groups have been established to ensure that communities themselves take ownership of the response to Kush.
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education has played a pivotal role in public education and awareness campaigns, partnering with civil society organizations, journalists, and bloggers to raise awareness on the dangers of Kush. The Ministry has also facilitated the production of public education materials in local languages, ensuring citizens across all regions are informed and able to contribute to the fight against drug abuse.
On law enforcement, Professor Sahr reported that several raids have been carried out across 90 identified hotspots in the Western Area Urban and Rural districts, resulting in multiple seizures of illegal substances and arrests of key individuals. “The drug fight is continuous. This is why we identify supply chains and break them,” he stated.
He further explained that the Special Force established by President Bio represents a sustained national investment in addressing drug trafficking and dismantling supply networks.
