The Ministry of Social Welfare has intensified efforts to combat the growing problem of drug and substance abuse among young people in Sierra Leone. Minister Melrose Karminty provided an update on the government’s response, pointing out the establishment of the country’s first rehabilitation center at Hastings. The center offers treatment and reintegration services to individuals battling addiction.
Minister Karminty stressed the collaborative nature of the government’s approach, involving multiple ministries and agencies working together to address this critical challenge. She also announced the opening of a second rehabilitation facility in Bo, where 50 people have successfully completed their treatment programs and reintegrated into their communities. Several of these individuals have resumed their education, enrolling in schools and universities.
In addition to drug abuse interventions, the Minister outlined major progress in empowering Persons with Disabilities. She revealed that during a recent trip to New York, she secured nearly one million dollars in funding for programs aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of disabled persons.
A new Economic Empowerment Project targeting Persons with Disabilities is scheduled for launch on Friday, July 11, 2025. The initiative includes the construction and renovation of training centers nationwide to equip beneficiaries with vocational skills and reduce reliance on street begging.
