Thanks in part to donor support, another girl’s mentoring session was held at the end of January on Drug and Substance Abuse.  In 2022, Sierra Leone was identified by OSIWA as one of the major gateways in West Africa for Cocaine trafficking. A report published by OSIWA in 2022 similarly indicated that a series of drugs (tramadol, Pampas, Marijuana, and Tobacco, among others) are taken by youths in vulnerable communities in Sierra Leone. 

The goal of the mentoring session was to educate the DASL mentees on drug abuse and its effects and to raise awareness of the high prevalence of drug abuse in the Country. Twenty-nine girls attended the mentoring session.  Food and transportation were provided to all participants and each of the attendees received one box of corn flacks, a packet of sugar, and a dozen of packet milk as take-home packages.  

Miss Rosaline V. B., was the guest speaker and she spoke on the following bullet points: Definition of drug and drug abuse, the acts of drug abuse among youths, examples of drugs commonly abused, the prevalence of drug abuse, cause, and effects of drug abuse (In Sierra Leone), drug addiction, signs and symptoms of drug abuse, treatment and prevention of drug abuse. She mentioned that drug abuse has become a public health concern and added that many youths in Sierra Leone are struggling with drug and substance abuse. The mentoring was interactive and some mentees shared their personal experiences concerning drug abuse in Sierra Leone. 

Thank you for your support towards empowering and educating girls in Sierra Leone. If you are not yet a recurring donor and would like to sign up for a recurring donation go here.