By: Reginald Brian Ojukutu Sawyerr
FANT SL has used the power of football to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse among secondary school students through an inter-secondary school friendly football competition held at Monjasa Park, Murray Town Field.
The initiative brought together students from four secondary schools: Murray Town Municipal Secondary School, Behesthi Islamic Secondary School, Murray Town Army Barracks Municipal School and Lawab High School.
Beyond the excitement and competition on the pitch, the event carried an important message about protecting young people from the dangers associated with substance abuse, particularly Kush, Tramadol, and other illicit substances.
The initiative aimed to use football as a platform to educate students, encourage healthy choices, and promote a drug-free lifestyle among young people. It also highlighted the importance of engaging students in positive activities that can help them develop discipline, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility.
Drug abuse remains a serious concern for families and communities across Sierra Leone. Young people need access to reliable information, positive role models, and supportive environments that encourage them to make informed decisions about their health and future.
By bringing the participating schools together through sport, FANT SL created an opportunity to combine recreation with an important social message. The friendly matches demonstrated how football can serve as more than a game, becoming a useful tool for education, awareness-raising, and community engagement.
A delegation from FANT SL attended the event, including Project Manager Ato Bah, Bob Rogers, Anthony Pessima, and Abass Angelo.
Their participation formed part of the initiative’s engagement with students through a sporting activity designed to promote awareness of the risks associated with drug abuse.
The event also underscored the role that schools, parents, community leaders, and sports organisations can play in supporting young people and encouraging them to pursue positive opportunities rather than engage in harmful substance use.
While football provided the platform, the broader objective was to ensure that students understood the importance of safeguarding their health, making responsible decisions, and protecting their future ambitions.
As Sierra Leone continues to address concerns surrounding drug abuse, initiatives that combine education, sports, and community participation can contribute to wider prevention efforts.
