By Hindowa E. Saidu

Increasingly the Sierra Leonean public is becoming aware of the critical connection between drug abuse and violence. Drug abuse activities such as drug dealing or running plays a major role in violent behaviors especially among the youths in any given society.

Foundation For Democratic Initiatives And Development Sierra Leone (FDID-SL), a youth oriented and youth serving organization, has been closely monitoring youth activities around the country and has now identified drug abuse as one very serious problem which is sure to be of concern to government, local and international agencies and all well meaning Sierra Leoneans.

Research has proven that there is connection between drug abuse and a broad range of crimes including homicide, rape, domestic violence, child abuse and gang related violence.

Nelson Mandela once said “We owe our children the most vulnerable citizens in any society a life free from drug, violence and fear….. We must address the root cause of violence”.

Our youths are supposed to take over the mantle of leadership tomorrow but what guarantee do we have for a violence free society and empowered youths when most rogue political leaders are busy intoxicating our youths for their selfish desires. Elections may come and go but our youths will always be around.

As the 2012 presidential and general elections are on the way, politicians have now started criss-crossing the county. Unwholesome electioneering process is being employed to tame their opponents and emerge victorious at the polls. One such means is giving drugs for vote and a wide spread of violence. Political violence occasioned by high profile thuggery in the country has now begun. Statistics of people killed and wounded, properties destroyed and houses burnt down are true testimonies. Unfortunately, this violence is being perpetrated by Sierra Leonean youths who are supposed to be the leaders of tomorrow. These naïve youths are being employed by disgruntled and greedy politicians to visit mayhem on their very own people. Most of the violence taking place across the country is executed by the youths themselves. These youths are unfortunately influenced by lure of drugs and the lust for merge financial benefits

It is evident that lack of monitoring has left our youths at the mercy of ill motivated and satanic politicians who exploit the lapse to achieve their selfish goals. Electoral violence affects the entire credibility of our democratic system, human security and wanton destruction of properties. It also erodes the credibility of the rule of law and impacts negatively on democratic activities.

One of the consequences of youth involvement in electorial violence is legitimizing and perpetuating the vicious cycle of existing culture. Politicians raise huge sums of money by which they finance another round of electorial violence to either maintain power or to force a power shift. The youth can be severely destroyed by election violence. Firstly, many are wounded or even killed in some of these violent acts. Secondly, their future can be negatively affected. Instead of being engaged in productive ventures that would prepare them for future leadership and productive adult life, our youths are engaged in election violence.

Sierra Leonean youths, it is high time you wake up! And resist drugs offered by our selfish and greedy politicians at elections time. The youths should try to involve themselves in some kind of grooming which will eventually see them taking over from their political godfathers.

By destroying themselves and the system the youths are costing Sierra Leone present and future leadership. This will lead to the emergence of mediocre leadership in politics and government because honest, God fearing and credible leaders who can provide the required leadership are either destroyed or scared away from participating.

In essence the main objective of democracy and good governance is defeated. While death, injury, displacement and property damage are the most obvious effects of electoral violence.

N ote:Hindowa E. Saidu is the Director of Foundation for Democratic Initiatives and Development Sierra Leone (FDID-SL), a youth serving civil society organization in Sierra Leone. He can be reached at: or +232-76-804066

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