By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
Residents battling Kush addiction at the Waterloo Bomeh Dump Site have made an urgent appeal to the Government of Sierra Leone, humanitarian organisations, health authorities, and compassionate citizens for immediate medical care, rehabilitation, and humanitarian support as they struggle with worsening health conditions, homelessness, and social exclusion.
The appeal comes amid growing concerns about the plight of individuals living at the dump site, where many are reportedly battling substance addiction, untreated illnesses, and extreme poverty.
One of the residents, Santige Kamara, shared his personal ordeal, describing how his life dramatically changed after becoming addicted to Kush. According to Kamara, he once worked as a commercial driver and lived a stable life before addiction gradually led to the loss of his livelihood and ultimately forced him onto the streets.
Kamara alleged that he sustained a serious foot injury while fleeing during a police operation at a ghetto where he had been residing. He claimed that an iron rod pierced his foot during the incident, resulting in a wound that later developed into a severe sore due to the lack of medical treatment.
He further alleged that after seeking refuge at his late parents’ home, relatives currently managing the family property refused to accommodate him. According to Kamara, one of his cousins ordered him to leave the house, threatened him with violence, and insulted him because of the offensive smell from his infected wound.
Describing the impact of the untreated injury, Kamara said the sore causes constant pain, severe itching, and sleepless nights. He admitted that he often smokes Kush in an attempt to temporarily numb the pain, although he acknowledged that the drug has only worsened his overall condition.
Kamara also claimed that he is not alone in his suffering. According to him, several other residents at the Waterloo Bomeh Dump Site are living with untreated sores, infections, and other health complications associated with harsh living conditions, poor sanitation, and substance abuse.
He appealed to the Government of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Health, rehabilitation centres, humanitarian organisations, and charitable individuals to extend urgent assistance to those living at the site by providing medical treatment, rehabilitation programmes, food assistance, and psychosocial support.
Mental health experts and public health advocates have repeatedly emphasised that substance use disorder is a medical condition requiring comprehensive treatment, counselling, and community support. They have also stressed that recovery is more likely when individuals have access to healthcare, stable accommodation, rehabilitation services, and opportunities for social reintegration.
The situation at the Waterloo Bomeh Dump Site highlights the broader challenges posed by Kush addiction in Sierra Leone and underscores the need for sustained collaboration among government institutions, healthcare providers, civil society organisations, and development partners to expand treatment services while addressing the social and economic factors that contribute to substance abuse.
As concerns continue to mount, residents hope their voices will prompt swift intervention that not only addresses their immediate medical needs but also provides a pathway towards recovery, dignity, and reintegration into society.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 27th July 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
