By Richard Kemoh
Since the 7th December 1987 the General Assembly of the United Nations has set aside June 26 every year as the International Day against drug abuse and illegal trafficking. The commemoration of the day by the United Nations and its member States is an expression of their determination to fight against drug addiction and adequately develop laws to protect the society from the menace.
Due to the success of last years celebration (2017), the day had over the years recognized the severe impact that drug abuse has on the consolidation of peace in the society.
Approximately, more than one hundred and ninety thousand people (190,000) die every year due to drug intake, but the damage of drugs to communities affects the health and well-being of youths and other vulnerable groups through the acquiring of diseases like HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis.
Due to some social connectivity that cannot be denied or ignored, drug addicts are also exposed to public health problems and a wide range of other social consequences.
What government should do now is to strengthen the regulatory watchdog Pharmacy Board, Sierra Leone to effectively control the proliferation of Pharmacy selling drugs like “Tramadol” without medical prescription from doctors or medical practitioners.
A prisoner from the Correctional Services recently made some startling revelations that drug trafficking also occurs in almost all prison premises in the country.
He revealed that, while in custody he and his friend at the time gave One million Five hundred thousand Leones to one Sergeant Barrie, a correctional service officer requesting him to buy them two phones and marijuana. The inmate also disclosed that this is a usual practice in prison facilities across the country. The prisoner further noted that Sergeant Barrie kept hold of the money without buying the items.
One of the wildly misused drugs in the country is tramadol, which the head of the Pharmacy Board in Sierra Leone Dr. Wilshire Johnson noted is affecting not only the people that are using the drugs, but also their loved ones.
Mr. Johnson further explained that they have worked very hard to put a stop to drug abuse especially among young people.