Journalist and social commentator Thomas Dixon has sharply criticized Speaker of Parliament Hon. Sengepoh Solomon Thomas for urging Sierra Leoneans to limit public discussions about drug issues a request the Speaker said was intended to protect the country’s international reputation.

This comes after recent remarks attributed to the Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Segepoh Solomon Thomas, in which he reportedly stated that “the level at which Sierra Leone is been propagating as a drug nation is not like that”

In a media interview, Dixon emphasized the severity of the kush crisis, citing President Julius Maada Bio’s declaration of a state of emergency on the issue and other indicators showing the problem is worsening. He described the Speaker’s remarks as “cut off from reality,” arguing they do not reflect the harsh realities on the ground.

Dixon noted that concern over kush is not limited to Sierra Leoneans, pointing out that international groups and organized crime monitors have identified the country as a major center for kush activity. He disagreed with the Speaker’s view that the problem is being exaggerated.

He also criticized the Speaker for not visiting affected communities, saying, “The Speaker does not go to the streets to see the reality because he is always inside his car. He should stop by major streets and communities across Sierra Leone to witness firsthand the impact. Even in Bonthe, where the Speaker is from, there are youths dying from drug abuse.”

“If the Speaker believes Sierra Leoneans are overreacting, he should summon those suspected of involvement in the drug trade,” Dixon added. He further noted that in other parliaments facing similar crises, leaders call on police chiefs, drug enforcement agencies, and finance ministers to provide answers.

Dixon urged the Speaker to engage directly with communities to better understand the human cost of kush abuse and to support stronger measures to address the crisis.