The Pentecostal Fellowship of Sierra Leone (PFSL) held its February monthly meeting in the form of a seminar on drug abuse, misuse, and rehabilitation at the Bethel Temple International Ministries, Tower Hill, Freetown.
The seminar examined the impact of illegal substances and the growing challenges associated with rehabilitation in Sierra Leone.
Speaking during the event, the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Sierra Leone, Bishop Akintayo Sam-Jolly—who is also the Bishop of Living Word of Faith Outreach Ministries International—said the purpose of the seminar was not only to create awareness, but to identify practical steps the fellowship and the wider society can take to address the problem.
He emphasized the need for accurate data on drug abuse in the country, warning that a large segment of society is at risk if urgent action is not taken. According to him, efforts must be intensified to prevent drug abuse from devastating families, communities, and the national economy.
Bishop Sam-Jolly highlighted the severe mental, physical, and emotional damage drug abuse causes to individuals and families, stressing that the fight against drugs should not be left to the government alone.
“This is a battle for all of us,” he said, noting that the loss of any child affects the entire society. He added that rehabilitation requires significant resources and that, in some cases, the damage caused by drugs may be irreversible without timely intervention.
He called for prayer, encouragement, care, and proper oversight for children, while also urging stakeholders to discourage the sale and distribution of illegal drugs.
The seminar featured several sessions, including Drugs and Crime presented by Paul Cook; Drug Abuse in Sierra Leone, Challenges of Rehabilitation, and The Impact of Drug and Substance Misuse and Abuse, all delivered by Dr. Donald Grant.
