Latest news with #Kamara
The Star
12 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
Breaking the kush curse
SINGING sweetly as she packed her bag to leave the rehab centre, Mariama Turay vowed never again to smoke kush, the fearsome drug that wrecked her marriage – and countless lives in Sierra Leone. 'This drug is killing us slowly,' sighed the gentle-mannered 29-year-old, elegantly made up with shiny rings in her ears and nose. 'I'm promising myself that I am not going there anymore.' After seven weeks of therapeutic rehab under military guard with doctors and social workers, she is ready to go home to her parents. An hour's drive from the state-run centre where she was treated, desperate addicts who could not obtain therapeutic care lie chained to the floor for months in an informal detox house. 'The parents have nowhere to take their children,' said Hassan Kamara, the traditional healer who runs it. 'It's impossible to control their children. The suffering is too much.' Patients wearing T-shirts with the words 'Youth Lives Matter' leaving a government-operated rehab centre after finishing their programme in the outskirts of Freetown. — AFP Highly addictive Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio in April 2024 declared a state of emergency due to a spike in deaths caused by kush, a synthetic drug containing powerful opioids and sometimes synthetic versions of cannabis-derived substances. Tests on kush in Sierra Leone found nitazenes, a synthetic opioid comparable to fentanyl, according to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime. Cheap and highly addictive, kush can drive users psychotic, sparking hallucinations and damaging vital organs. Once an aspiring actress, Turay fell into its grips aged 27 while suffering the stress of marital problems. Her husband – himself a user and dealer – said the drug would help her sleep. 'It worked,' she said. But soon, she was wanting more, morning and evening. Her husband left and moved to Canada, where he received addiction treatment and remarried. Turay moved back in with her parents and her life fell apart. 'The drug was controlling me. My body ached until I smoked it,' she recalled. 'I sold my television, my wedding clothes, my wedding ring, because I didn't want men to use me – just for the drugs.' The national detox centre that treated her – until recently, the only one in the poverty-stricken country – has provided treatment to over 300 addicts since opening in February 2024. More than 2,000 are on the waiting list. Kamara said the centre he runs at his home in the Freetown suburbs has helped over 2,000 addicts recover through his 'healing process' of abrupt severance. Chained to beds On a visit to Kamara's barricaded house, six young men sprawled on filthy mattresses with iron chains restraining their ankles. Weakened by hunger and thirst and in some cases apparently sedated, they lay dazed with anguished looks in their eyes. 'I am OK with the treatment,' said one of them, Manso Koroma, under Kamara's watchful eye. After four months chained to the bed, 'I've recovered,' said Koroma, a 31-year-old man with a stricken expression and a haggard, scarred body. 'I'm just waiting for my sister to come and I can leave here.' A former motorcycle taxi rider, he had one leg amputated at the knee after a traffic accident – and took kush for the pain. 'When I came here, I was really violent. It took two days before the healer could start the healing process,' he said. Kush kills young people Kamara treats addicts with 'leaves from the forests and religious verses', he said, showing bottles of unidentified concoctions. 'I use the chain to protect them from escaping,' he said. 'I'm doing them good.' He acknowledged that his patients live in poor conditions but said his centre is under-resourced. He pleaded with the government for help. Ansu Konneh, director of mental health at the country's social welfare ministry, said the government wants to remove people from such unofficial sites, of which he estimates there are more than a dozen. 'A lot of violations against human rights is taking place in these informal centres,' he said. 'We cannot legitimise them by helping them.' A second official national rehab centre opened in the south on May 16. Fears of relapse In late April, Turay was among 52 former addicts aged 17 to 35 who walked out of the official rehab centre on the outskirts of Freetown. Most were at university when they became addicted. Some took selfies, singing and joking, but others wore haunted looks and spoke with voices still slurred from the effects of the drug. At her family home, Turay hugged her parents and brothers and asked them to forgive her. She kneeled at the feet of her father Ibrahim, 60. 'Thank you, God! Today my daughter is back home,' he said. 'I hope you've learned your lesson.' 'Of course,' she replied, sobbing. But her mother Aissata frets about relapse. 'I am worried that Mariama will go back to smoking because where we live, there are so many people who smoke kush.' In her bedroom, the young woman unpacked her belongings along with a manual: '12 steps for recovery for an addict'. She said she wants to go back to college, train as a beautician and one day 'have a child, if God blesses me with the right man'. — AFP
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Three men charged in shooting that paralyzed aspiring college football star in Brooklyn Park
Image Source: nfldraftdiamonds/Instagram Last week in Hennepin County District Court, Nicholas Sarkor Harris Jr., 21, of Brooklyn Park, and Hassan Papee Kamara, 21, of Minneapolis, each were charged with five counts, including first- and second‑degree assault and drive‑by shooting. Sources now suggest that there is a third person involved in the incident as well. The charges are in connection with the early morning shooting just after 12:30 a.m. on May 29 outside the home of 19‑year‑old Michael Blidi Jr., who had previously committed to play college football and was considered a football recruit. Blidi was left paralyzed from the waist down after the shooting. The shooting and its devastating aftermath in Brooklyn Park Blidi Jr. had recently parked a car outside his home in the 6000 block of Garwood Road North when two masked men drove up beside him in a car police later determined to be a silver sedan, according to court documents. One of the people inside shot him in his lower back. Blidi was unable to feel his legs when paramedics arrived. With multiple fractures in his spine and 'large bullet fragments' embedded in his spinal canal, doctors confirmed he would be paraplegic. Blidi, who graduated from Milton Hershey School in Pennsylvania this year, was heading to play football this fall at Iowa Central Community College- a dream now destroyed with the sound of one gunshot. A bullet to the spine ended his dream. His father wrote on a crowdfunding page, 'His dream was terminated by a gunshot wound to his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed from the knee down. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Doctors said he's not going to walk again.' Investigation reveals possible motive and accomplices The shooting is believed to be retaliatory, according to police. Just days earlier, Blidi had fought a man during a local basketball game and then punched the man when he went home and posted on social media about obtaining a firearm. A silver sedan was spotted on surveillance video at the location and eventually returned to an apartment complex in the 5800 block of 73rd Avenue. Kamara's brother was registered as the owner of the vehicle. Also Read: Clemson goes all-in for EA Sports College Football 26 with 7,000+ photos for more realistic feel Harris and Kamara went into the building immediately following the gunfire, police say. Trokon Kaigboyah, 36, of Brooklyn Park, was also allegedly caught later parking the vehicle in visitor parking. A spent 22 caliber bullet was found upon searching the car and Kaigboyah's apartment on June 4, police say 40-caliber cartridge casing matching an on-site pistol seizure, believed marijuana, and 2 handguns (including a loaded Glock 23). They also found 45‑caliber rounds hidden in a toilet bowl. Kaigboyah claimed in the court that the day after the shooting, Harris, Kamara, and another unknown person were changing clothes in his apartment before he was handed a paper bag with a firearm. They stayed till about 5 a.m., he said. He has since been charged with being an accessory after the fact. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Wales Online
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
'You must be fed up' – Chris Kamara and Jeff Stelling's treatment now speaks volumes
'You must be fed up' – Chris Kamara and Jeff Stelling's treatment now speaks volumes Chris Kamara and Jeff Stelling were an iconic duo on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday, where they shared numerous memorable and amusing moments before leaving the network Chris Kamara and Jeff Stelling are great friends (Image: X/@chris_kammy ) Chris Kamara has agreed with friend and former colleague Jeff Stelling over the most embarrassing moment in the legendary host's career. The seamless rapport between Kamara, who served as a live match reporter, and Stelling, who presented the show, was an enduring highlight of Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday. Their time working together was filled with passion, unexpected twists and a healthy dose of comedy. A particular incident that had Stelling blushing saw him corrected by Kamara for forgetting West Ham's transition to the London Stadium from their previous home at Upton Park. Stelling humorously branded the gaffe as the "lowest point" in his time as a presenter. Kamara concurs with his dear pal, telling the Daily Star: "Yeah, it's true, it probably was the lowest point in his career." But the former Brentford and Leeds defender added: "We had so many laughs along the way, too many to mention. What a great time we had, the best of it all. "And those memories and the way people treat myself and Jeff these days, they obviously enjoyed it as well. So that's a great thing." Article continues below Kamara remains known for his signature 'Unbelievable Jeff!' catchphrase that still resonates with fans today, with the love they each receive a testament to their respective legacies. He said: "If I go out every single day, somebody will say, 'Unbelievable Jeff'. And they go, 'You must be fed up with that?' Stelling's presentation of Soccer Saturday was slick, albeit with the odd mishap (Image: Sky Sports News/X ) "No, I'm not, not at all. I'm proud of it, if I'm honest, to have a catchphrase that's got longevity. Don't knock it." Kamara departed Sky as he grappled with apraxia of speech, while Stelling stepped down from his long-standing role as Soccer Saturday presenter in 2023. The pair were unexpectedly reunited on TV when Kamara was hired to report on Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham as part of Amazon Prime Video's Boxing Day coverage, fronted by Stelling. "That was great, absolutely great. I couldn't believe it," said Kamara, who is managing his symptoms of apraxia, a condition that impacts the ability to plan and coordinate the movements necessary for speech. Kamara was delighted and surprised to reunite with Stelling on Prime Video (Image: Amazon Prime Sport/X ) Article continues below "I thought it was a wind-up when I received the call from Amazon. They said, 'We've got an idea. Because it's our last round of games, and Sky have all the future Christmas games and stuff... we've got an idea, we're going to get you reporting with Jeff in the studio.' "I asked, 'Are you sure you want me back?' And they responded 'Yeah, yeah we do.' Nottingham Forest rolled out the red carpet for me, displayed my picture on the big screen, 'Welcome back, Kammy.' They even gave me boardroom tickets. "It was just wonderful, and I declared there and then if that is my last game, then so be it. The last game I covered before that for Sky was when my condition was really bad, Rotherham versus Shrewsbury."
Daily Mirror
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Chris Kamara agrees on Jeff Stelling's 'lowest point' on Soccer Saturday
Chris Kamara has agreed with Jeff Stelling on the most embarrassing moment of the legendary presenter's career. Kamara, as an in-vision match reporter, and Stelling, as host, were an iconic combination on Sky Sports ' Soccer Saturday. Passion, drama and plenty of hilarious moments ensued as the pair combined to create football TV gold. On one occasion, Stelling was left red-faced after he was corrected by Kamara for forgetting that West Ham had moved to the London Stadium from Upton Park. Stelling jokingly dubbed it the "lowest point" of his presenting career. Kamara agrees with his great friend, telling the Daily Star: 'Yeah, it's true, it probably was the lowest point in his career!' The former Brentford and Leeds defender added: 'But we had so many laughs along the way, too many to mention. What a great time we had, the best of it all. 'And those memories and the way people treat myself and Jeff these days, they obviously enjoyed it as well. So that's a great thing.' During his Sky career, Kamara was renowned for his 'Unbelievable Jeff!' phrase. He's grateful for the public's continued love, explaining: 'If I go out every single day, somebody will say, 'Unbelievable Jeff'. And they go, 'You must be fed up with that?' "No, I'm not, not at all. I'm proud of it, if I'm honest, to have a catchphrase that's got longevity. Don't knock it.' Kamara left Sky as he battled with apraxia of speech, while Stelling stood down as long-time Soccer Saturday presenter in 2023. The pair remained close before they were unexpectedly reunited on TV when Kamara was hired to report on Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham as part of Amazon Prime Video's Boxing Day coverage, which was fronted by Stelling. 'That was great, absolutely great. I couldn't believe it,' said Kamara, who is managing his apraxia symptoms, which affects sufferers' ability to plan and coordinate the movements needed to produce speech 'I thought it was a wind-up when I got the call from Amazon. They said, 'We've got an idea. Because it's our last round of games, and Sky have got all the future Christmas games and stuff... we've got an idea, we're going to get you reporting with Jeff in the studio.' 'I said, 'Are you sure you want me back?' And he went 'Yeah, yeah we do.' Nottingham Forest laid out the red carpet for me, put my picture on the big screen, 'Welcome back, Kammy.' They gave me boardroom tickets. 'It was just wonderful, and I said there and then if that is my last game, then so be it. The last game I did before that for Sky was when my condition was really bad, Rotherham versus Shrewsbury.' Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Wales Online
05-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Chris Kamara admits 'I'm really weak' in heartbreaking health update
Chris Kamara admits 'I'm really weak' in heartbreaking health update The beloved football pundit was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition in 2022 Kamara has issued a new update on his health battle (Image: James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images ) Chris Kamara has admitted he is "very weak" and now struggles to walk down stairs in a heartbreaking health update. The beloved TV presenter and football pundit was diagnosed with speech apraxia - a rare neurological condition which affects sufferers' ability to speak - in 2022, having been also diagnosed with an underactive thyroid a year earlier. The condition can make saying the right sounds and words very difficult, while it also affects your balance and strength, with Kamara also living with dyspraxia. His diagnosis saw him step back from TV work while he received treatment, and he left Sky Sports later that year after 24 years with the broadcaster, tearfully admitting that his condition had left him left him feeling "like a fraud" as it caused him to slur his words. After flying to Mexico and undergoing intense speech therapy in a bid to aid his condition, Kamara has seen noticeable improvements and even made a return to punditry last year as part of Amazon Prime Video's festive Premier League coverage. But, in a fresh health update, the 67-year-old has admitted his struggles with his balance have impacted what he can do. While he has recently partnered with Burton's Fish 'N' Chips, he has confessed to being a lot more "choosy" over the work he takes on now. "I'm choosy these days," he told the Daily Star. "That's what's happened with the work because even though I've got the acceptance of my condition, I still don't want to put myself in a situation where it comes back to bite me. Article continues below "So I'm not like the old Chris Kamara who would say yes to the opening of an envelope. Whereas now I'm a bit more choosy and will I put myself in a situation where it won't work out alongside my apraxia, I have dyspraxia, which affects your balance." Giving an insight into his condition, Kamara added: "So I'm weak, really weak, and you know, going down these stairs isn't great. "Going up these stairs is fine, but going down these stairs, the brain tells you you're going to fall even though you probably won't, so you have to hold on to the banister and getting on planes and things like that. "Don't be in the queue behind me," he added. "Because I'll be five minutes getting down those plane steps!" It comes after Kamara heartbreakingly admitted that he is "no longer the person I used to be", having suffered regular falls following his life-changing diagnosis. "In so many ways, the diagnosis has changed my life," he said. "I am no longer the person I used to be, so I would be lying if I said it hasn't changed me. The brain tells me that I am going to fall, and unfortunately I often do." Last year, the Sky Sports legend admitted his health struggles had previously made him feel like a "burden" to his family as he confessed to having "stupid thoughts" about "taking himself out of the game". "I felt sorry for myself when the condition came along and I didn't know what to do or how to cope with it,' he said. "You have stupid thoughts. You think you've got Alzheimer's or dementia. "I didn't want to be a burden to my family, so you think about taking yourself out of the game. Thankfully, all of those stupid thoughts have gone now and I'm working through it, on the mend. Article continues below "How could I ever of thought of not being in this world with my grandkids? I love them and I appreciate life," he added. "I didn't understand mental health, I'll be honest with you. If you were a type of person who said, 'I don't feel like training today', I'd say what's the matter with you. Now, I realise that I was totally wrong. "The majority of people who are genuinely honest and have depression, anxiety and have mental health problems need help as best as they possibly can. The start is talking to someone about it. I did that and it's helped me immensely."
