Deadly concoction of drugs laced with human bones sparks nationwide crisis due to its rampant proliferation
In the West African nation of Sierra Leone, a dangerous new substance called kush is causing alarm. President Julius Maada Bio has declared a national emergency due to the rampant spread of this psychoactive drug, which has been linked to severe health effects and addiction.
Kush, a concoction of human bones, synthetic drugs like fentanyl and tramadol, chemicals like formaldehyde, cannabis, herbs, and disinfectants, provides a lengthy, hypnotic high that takes users out of reality for several hours and is fairly cheap to purchase. Unfortunately, as the ingredients to make kush become harder to find, people are turning to increasingly dangerous methods to get high.
The drug first surfaced in Sierra Leone about six years ago and has grown in popularity since then. Hundreds of young men have recently died of organ failure linked to the narcotic in the country. Reports of zombie-like groups of mostly young men sitting on street corners with swollen limbs and red eyes are becoming common.
The President's plans to wage war on kush include expanding police powers to raid suspected dealers and manufacturers. Between 2020 and 2023, admissions linked to kush at the Psychiatric Hospital in Sierra Leone surged by almost 4,000 per cent to reach roughly 1,865 new patients. However, the government's violent crackdown on kush addresses the root causes of the crisis the least and the needs of those suffering from it the most.
Vulnerable individuals are turning away from official resources towards independent offerings like controversial 'kush healers'. The nation's only drug rehab centre, located in Freetown, opened this year with only 100 beds. It's clear that more support is needed to address the growing addiction issue.
According to the World Health Organization, between 5.2 per cent and 13.5 per cent of young people in West and Central Africa have become addicted to drugs. As kush spreads to other West African countries, it's essential that authorities work together to combat this crisis.
Authorities have intensified port screenings, seizing containers with kush ingredients shipped primarily from the UK to Sierra Leone. Confiscated drugs are currently being burned. However, the drug's extreme potency—up to 25 times stronger than fentanyl—makes small quantities highly lucrative and difficult to track and control. Its low production volume combined with high street availability complicates law enforcement efforts.
Public health responses must be evidence-based and respectful of human rights to effectively support addicted individuals. The drug’s severe health impacts manifest visibly in addicted populations, including young men and women debilitated by sores and other ailments, further straining health systems.
In conclusion, combating kush in Sierra Leone and the wider West African region involves multifaceted efforts addressing supply chains, law enforcement, healthcare, and community support. However, the drug's potency, evolving chemistry, and widespread addiction pose significant challenges. It's crucial that authorities work together to address these challenges and provide the necessary support to those struggling with addiction.
- The alarming spread of kush, a dangerous psychoactive substance in Sierra Leone, has raised concerns not just within the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health, but also in the political sphere, as President Julius Maada Bio has taken drastic measures to combat its devastating effects.
- As kush continues to impact West African nations, including Sierra Leone, with its severe health consequences and rising addiction rates among young people, it's essential for political leaders to collaborate and implement evidence-based public health responses that prioritize both the respect of human rights and the provision of essential support services for those struggling with addiction.
