The growing abuse of the deadly synthetic drug commonly known as “kush” continues to devastate the lives of young people across Sierra Leone, particularly in Freetown and surrounding communities, with many young girls becoming homeless and vulnerable to exploitation, violence, family rejection and the loss of educational and economic opportunities.
The dangerous substance, reportedly made from a combination of tramadol, cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids, has emerged as a major public health concern, prompting urgent calls for intervention and rehabilitation efforts to address the worsening crisis among vulnerable youths.
In response to the growing epidemic, Caritas Freetown established the Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Youth Affected by Drugs (REAR) Project to provide long-term rehabilitation, counselling, healing and empowerment opportunities for young people battling substance addiction.
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen support for the initiative, the Board Chairman of Caritas Freetown, Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles, accompanied by Board members and Management staff, paid an official visit to the REAR rehabilitation centre at Makomba Village, off Newton, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
The visit was aimed at assessing the progress of the project, engaging with staff and beneficiaries and reaffirming Caritas Freetown’s commitment to supporting young people in their recovery journey and successful reintegration into society.
The rehabilitation centre currently provides psychological care, counselling, rehabilitation services and vocational skills training for young people affected by Kush addiction, helping them regain stability and rebuild their lives.
During the visit, Board members interacted directly with beneficiaries to gain deeper insight into the impact of the programme and the challenges confronting recovering youth. Among those present were Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, Thomas Sheku Kenah, Peter Menjor and other representatives and staff of Caritas Freetown.
According to project officials, between January and May 2026, sixteen young girls were enrolled in the residential rehabilitation programme at Makomba Village. Out of the sixteen beneficiaries, twelve are currently on track for successful reintegration into society through counselling, rehabilitation and vocational skills training.
One of the beneficiaries, Esther Mustapha, emotionally recounted her painful experience of addiction and her path toward recovery during the Board’s visit.
Esther Mustapha revealed that after successfully passing both the National Primary School Examination (NPSE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), she was unable to further her education due to her father’s inability to pay school fees.
She explained that during that difficult period, a friend introduced her to Kush. She later relocated from Bo to Freetown without family support, where her addiction worsened. In an effort to survive and sustain her drug dependency, Esther Mustapha said she engaged in survival sex work and often slept in gutters and shop verandas while enduring severe hardship and exploitation.
“The project has given me the courage to reintegrate into society and pursue a productive future. It has helped me become a person in society again,” Esther Mustapha said.
Her journey to recovery began after she was identified by a Caritas project staff member in Funkia and referred to the rehabilitation programme. Through counselling, psychological support and vocational training, she successfully stopped using Kush and is now undergoing tailoring training at the centre as she rebuilds her life with renewed hope and confidence.
Her testimony underscored the importance of early intervention, community referrals, professional rehabilitation services and vocational empowerment in helping young people overcome addiction and regain control of their lives.
Speaking to staff and beneficiaries during the visit, Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles expressed appreciation to the project team for their dedication and commitment to restoring hope among vulnerable young people. He also commended the beneficiaries for embracing the path of recovery and transformation despite the many difficulties they had endured.
The Archbishop described the initiative as a vital intervention in restoring dignity, healing and hope to young people affected by drug addiction. He emphasized that the project reflects Caritas Freetown’s broader mission of supporting vulnerable individuals to rebuild their lives and become productive members of society.
Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of staff and beneficiaries, Murray Massaquoi, Project Manager of the REAR Project, thanked Board members and guests for their continued support noting that the visit had boosted the confidence and motivation of both staff and recovering youth at the rehabilitation centre.
The visit further highlighted Caritas Freetown’s continued leadership in addressing substance abuse and strengthening rehabilitation programmes for vulnerable young people across Sierra Leone. Through compassion, professional care, counselling and empowerment opportunities, the REAR Project continues to restore hope, dignity and a second chance to young people affected by drug addiction.
