Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has expressed strong confidence that under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone will overcome the growing Kush crisis that continues to devastate young lives across the country.

Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting on the fight against Kush held at State House on Thursday, 30 October 2025, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh thanked participants for their commitment and urged them to turn their discussions into tangible actions.

“With your support and collective resolve, we will win this fight. Government will leave no stone unturned to combat kush menace in Sierra Leone” the Vice President affirmed.

He also noted that the meeting came at a pivotal time when Sierra Leone was calling for renewed energy and stronger coordination to confront what he described as a national emergency.

“I am optimistic that this High-Level Meeting is coming at a time when there is an overwhelming call for a new vigour to fight the Kush pandemic. We are confident that this engagement will signal a new beginning in that fight,” he stated.

He emphasized that the presence of the President and other senior government officials underscored the government’s determination to address the crisis through unified action.

The Vice President commended key stakeholders for their contributions, including the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Alpha Sesay Esq, for ongoing efforts to strengthen prosecution of drug-related cases, the Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda Esq, for measures taken to fast-track drug trials, and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, for demonstrating the legislature’s readiness to support legislative reforms.

Dr. Juldeh Jalloh also acknowledged the testimony of Michael Tamba Komba, a recovering Kush addict, whose personal story of struggle and recovery, he said, highlighted the urgent need to complement law enforcement with rehabilitation and community-based support.

He stressed that overcoming challenges related to prosecution, cross-border drug trafficking, and rehabilitation services will be critical to sustaining progress. In closing, he reaffirmed his full support to President Bio and the national effort to end the Kush crisis.

“We have made progress at each point, but cross-border control and enforcement gaps continue to pose challenges,” he said.

“Your Excellency, I want to assure you that with your leadership and additional directives, we will win this fight.”