By Sulaiman Jalloh

Hon. Ibrahim Barrie of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), representing the people of Bombali District has recently visited a Kush rehabilitation centre established by a young man identified as CEO Gaza in Makeni.

The lawmaker has called for government’s intervention to support the Kush rehabilitation centre. He lauded the efforts of CEO Gaza to help Kush victims, stressing that the center is doing an incredible work, offering psychological and medical support to the victims on their journey to recovery. Hon. Ibrahim Barrie also called on other NGOs to intervene and assist the daily operations of the rehabilitation center.

Hon. Barrie noted that despite the success stories of the rehabilitation centre, victims are still facing significant challenges. From the firsthand information gathered at the centre, Hon. Ibrahim Barrie said there is a crucial need for more funding and partnerships. “As a Member of Parliament representing Bombali District, I strongly urge the Government, through the Ministry of Health, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Parliamentary Health Committee, and other stakeholders, to step in and provide the necessary supports,” the lawmaker maker urged, adding that, “Together, we can help save lives and build a healthier future for our communities.”

On his part, CEO Gaza said that he is undertaking the said venture to save his fellow youths at free of cost, stressing that most of the resources are coming from his pockets. He further disclosed that he started the Kush rehabilitation centre purposely for his younger brothers who were Kush addicts, but later saw the need to help save other fellow youths who face the danger of Kush consumption. He furthered that he informed parents of Kush victims and called on them to support with whatever they could to which they consented.

CEO Gaza further disclosed that most of the youths at the center are in chains, a measure, he said, to help prevent the addicts from escaping from the facility in search of drugs as the synthetic drug is very addicted. The CEO also disclosed that recent heavy downpour flooded the rehabilitation center.

Briefly explaining the dangers of the drug from experience, one of the survivors from the center who is now one of the sponsors for the day-to-day running of the facility, said that drug is never a good thing, adding that it has the propensity to eradicate all the youths in the country if action is not taken.