The growing abuse of the deadly synthetic drug known as “kush” continues to destroy the lives of young people across Sierra Leone, particularly in Freetown and surrounding communities. The dangerous substance, commonly made from a mixture of tramadol, cannabis, and synthetic cannabinoids, has become a major public health crisis, leaving many young girls homeless and vulnerable to exploitation, violence, family rejection, and the loss of educational and economic opportunities.
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 struggling with addiction.
As part of efforts to strengthen support for the initiative, the Board Chairman of Caritas Freetown, Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles, together with 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 purpose of the visit was to assess the progress of the project, interact with staff and beneficiaries, and reaffirm Caritas Freetown’s commitment to helping young people recover from substance abuse and successfully reintegrate into society.
The rehabilitation centre provides psychological care, counselling, rehabilitation services, and vocational skills training for young people affected by kush addiction.
During the visit, board members engaged directly with beneficiaries to better understand the impact of the programme and the challenges faced by recovering youth. Among those present during the visit were Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, Thomas Sheku Kenah, and Peter Menjor, alongside other representatives and staff of Caritas Freetown.
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 twelve beneficiaries, Esther Mustapha, shared her emotional story of addiction and recovery during the visit.
Esther explained that after successfully passing both the National Primary School Examination (NPSE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), she was unable to continue her education because her father could not afford her school fees.
During that difficult period, a friend introduced her to kush. She later moved from Bo to Freetown without family support, where her addiction worsened. To survive and sustain her dependency on the drug, she engaged in survival sex work and often slept in gutters and shop verandas, facing 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 said.
Her journey toward recovery began when 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. She is currently receiving tailoring training at the centre and rebuilding her life with renewed hope and confidence.
Her story demonstrates the importance of early intervention, community referrals, professional rehabilitation services, and vocational empowerment in helping young people recover from addiction and rebuild 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 choosing the path of recovery and transformation despite the many challenges they have faced.
The Archbishop described the initiative as an important effort in restoring dignity, healing, and hope to young people affected by drug addiction. He emphasized that the project reflects Caritas Freetown’s mission of supporting vulnerable individuals to rebuild their lives and become productive members of society.
Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the staff and beneficiaries, Murray Massaquoi, the project Manager of the REAR project, thanked the board members and guests for their continued support. He noted that the visit strengthened the confidence and motivation of both staff and recovering youth at the rehabilitation centre.
The visit 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.
