Deputy minister of health and sanitation has blamed the negative effects of drug abuse on increase crime rate in the country; a menace he said has posed a threat not only to citizens but also communities' welfare.

The confab was themed: "Occupational health and symposium: Drug abuse and it impacts in Sierra Leone."

Dr. Tejan Koroma was addressing the Sierra Leone medical and dental association, SLMDA's 34 annual conference and scientific meeting at the British Council in Freetown. He said there were plans underway to increase salaries of medical practitioners.

Chairman of the occasion, who is also vice chancellor and principal of the University of Sierra Leone Professor Aiah Gbakima, said according to the UN health agency, WHO, occupational health in workplace fatalities, injuries and illness remained at an unacceptably high level.

Prof. Gbakima said WHO's current estimation proved that 125 people in the world are exposed to asbestos at their workplaces, adding that at least 90,000 people die each year from asbestos related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis resulting from occupational exposures.

He said the confab came in at a time when the government was looking forward to improving health facilities at various workplaces nationwide.

Drug abuse, he said, had no rightful place anywhere in the country.

President of SLMDA Dr. Amara Jambai said his executive succeeded in integrating and mainstreaming younger colleagues into the development of the association.

"The brilliant outcome of the mid-year meeting in Makeni was a clear manifestation of their dedication in closing the gap between generations and thus improving their services to the people of Sierra Leone," he said.

Dr. Jambai appealed to senior colleagues to incorporate their younger colleagues within their offices.