By Yusufu S. Bangura
Drug users carefully listening to experts during the sensitisation
Freetown Terminal Limited (FTL), a subsidiary of Africa Global Logistics, has been actively engaging in community outreach programs to combat drug and substance abuse in Freetown’s Moa Wharf and Seaside communities.
On Saturday 15th March 2025, FTL organized its annual sensitization campaign, aiming to educate the youth about the detrimental effects of drug abuse that will empower the youth and promote positive change.
The initiative featured collaborations with experts from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Institute of Drugs Center and Human Security, community stakeholders.
These professionals provided insights into the health implications of narcotic drugs and emphasized the importance of counseling and rehabilitation over several measures.
Abubakarr Barrie, Chairman of the Moa Wharf Community, highlighted the serious problem of drug and alcohol abuse among youths, leading to lawlessness and involvement in crimes, which cause most youth to loss their lives and engage in things that are not beneficial to them.
He further thanked FTL for educating his youth about the danger of drug abuse, stating that through the help of FTL the issue of drug abuse has minimised in his community and they now have youth that the training has transformed their lives.
He therefore called on FTL to conduct the sensitisation quarterly instead of yearly because quartely training will help more youth to refrain from drug abuse and it will also create repaid change in the community.
Gassimu S. Fofanah, communication and Public Relations at FTL stated that they started the campaign 4 years ago because over the years most youth have engaged into drug abuse for various reasons, adding that the two communities closed to their operation area is Moa Wharf and Seaside communities are vulnerable to drug abuse.
He said the management later decided to engage youths on the danger of harmful drugs and how it will affect their lives if they continue to take it, he therefore urged youths not to let poverty and stress drive them to substance abuse.
Fofanah continued that over the years they had seen improvement in their campaign and they have heard testimonies from drug users
FTL’s commitment to these communities extends beyond sensitization campaigns. The company has also provided scholarships to students from Seaside and Moa Wharf, demonstrating a holistic approach to community development and youth empowerment.
Ibrahim Samuel Duba, Director for the Law Enforcement Agency, emphasized the health risks and the importance of advocacy in combating substance abuse.
The sensitization event also included testimonies from former drug addicts, highlighting the challenges of addiction and the journey to recovery.
During the sentisation period some current users of substances like tramadol, kush, extracee another harmful drugs pledged to abstain from drug abuse, reflecting the positive impact of the campaign.
