Freetown, Sierra Leone – In a collaborative effort to tackle the growing challenge of drug and substance abuse, the Government of Sierra Leone, in partnership with the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and the National Taskforce on Drug and Substance Abuse, has launched a pivotal "Training of Trainers" workshop. This two-day event aimed to equip community leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to implement the Community-Led Action Approach, a framework designed to empower local communities to address drug abuse on their own terms.

The Community-Led Action Approach encourages communities to take ownership of their challenges, fostering the development of tailored, locally driven solutions to combat drug use. By providing participants with targeted training, the initiative seeks to build a network of individuals capable of engaging their communities and implementing evidence-based strategies to mitigate drug-related harms.

The workshop underscored the need for strong partnerships among government agencies, local organisations, and key stakeholders. Together, these groups can form a unified response to the drug and substance abuse crisis, ensuring that resources are effectively coordinated towards shared goals.

The key objectives of the training included:

- Empowering community leaders to spearhead the Community-Led Action Approach

- Enhancing community capacity to address drug and substance abuse issues

- Strengthening partnerships between government, local organisations, and stakeholders

- Promoting evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies

Through this training initiative, the Government of Sierra Leone reaffirms its commitment to confronting the multifaceted issue of drug and substance abuse. By empowering trained community leaders, the country aims to create healthier, safer communities and improve the wellbeing of its citizens.