Youths Advised Against Illegal Drugs

By Alusine Sesay
Reverend Mohamed Kamara of the Wesleyan Church has advised young people to be mindful of the dangers of cigarette smoking and use of illegal drugs.
Rev. Kamara made this call during a LIVESTRONG sensitization programme at Old Railway Line, Wellington on Friday.
The occasion attracted young and old people in the community including the tribal head, Yabom Poro.
Reverend Kamara, who was Chairman of the occasion, said many young people in Sierra Leone are at risk of exposing themselves to ill health especially cancer, if steps are not taken to seriously inform them about the dangers of cigarette smoking and exposure to illegal drugs.
He said the action by the organization, Rowaca Cancer Group, to reach out to the grassroots is a welcome move as educating poor and vulnerable people about cancer will save lives in the community.
He said he accepted the offer to be chairman of the occasion because he has faith in the team leader and the drive the organization is taking.
“I hoped stakeholders will see the need to put into place policies that will address issues bothering on cancer,” he said.
He noted that many people have died of cancer in the country and that Government should now use information to educate people about the disease.
“Cancer may affect people at all ages, even fetuses, but the risk for most varieties increases with age,” he said.
The team leader of the group, Alpha Kamara, said the campaign is a result of the poor awareness of the disease in the community and that by reaching out to the people, especially the poor and vulnerable, many lives would be saved.
He noted that Rowaca Cancer Group is supporting the LIVESTRONG campaign to ensure that all countries have national cancer control programs to make a global investment in Cancer Control and to ensure that the stigma of cancer is reduced in the country.
Kamara, who is an affected person himself, said many families have lost loved ones due to cancer and that for most poor and vulnerable people the cost of procuring standard cancer medication is a bottleneck and often ends in the loss of lives.
“We must view this campaign as a survival quest,” he said, adding that because many youths are involved in smoking, the target of the campaign is youth groups in the communities to advise them against the habit.
“It will not be easy for one to quit from cigarette smoking but it will be better for one to protect his/her life and quit the habit,” he advised.
Kamara also disclosed that they will be celebrating the LIVESTRONG Day on October 2, when Surgeon Specialist, Dr. Moses Sesay and others will address the people on the issue.

Culled from http://www.premiernews-sl.com/