TAF Sierra Leone | Unemployment and Kush Abuse Among Youth

Sierra Leone stands at a critical juncture where the economic challenges facing its youth directly intersect with a growing public health crisis. The widespread rise of "Kush" abuse among young people has rapidly emerged as one of the most pressing socio-economic and health emergencies in the region. To move beyond superficial diagnoses, it is essential to examine the underlying systemic drivers, chief among them chronic youth unemployment, lack of economic mobility, and limited social support infrastructure.

Hosted by The African Federation (TAF) Wellness Focus Unit, this virtual panel brings together policy experts, grassroots advocates, and community leaders to dissect the direct correlation between economic marginalization and substance abuse. Rather than viewing addiction in isolation, the discussion will focus on practical, structural interventions: building sustainable economic pathways, strengthening community-based mental health support, and developing youth-led policy solutions that address the root causes of vulnerability.