Sierra Leone, a West African nation, is currently in the throes of a substance abuse crisis so severe that it has prompted a national emergency. At the center of this epidemic is a synthetic drug known as Kush, often referred to as the “Zombie” drug due to its devastating effects on users.
Kush, which emerged in Sierra Leone approximately six years ago, is a psychoactive substance that induces a hypnotic high similar to cannabis. What makes Kush particularly alarming is its composition—it’s concocted from a blend of toxic substances, with a shocking main ingredient: ground-up human bones, partially decomposed from graves.
The situation has escalated to such an extent that drug dealers have resorted to grave robbery, raiding thousands of tombs to extract skeletons for Kush production. This macabre trend has forced Sierra Leone to declare a national emergency, with police in Freetown stationed at cemeteries to combat the disturbing practice of exhuming skeletons for drug manufacturing.
President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has characterized the drug crisis as an existential threat to the country, specifically highlighting the destructive impact of Kush on the nation’s youth. The drug, which gained popularity among addicts for its long-lasting high, has led to hundreds of deaths and severe psychiatric damage among users.
The accessibility of Kush has contributed to its rampant use in Sierra Leone. It is now commonplace to see groups of predominantly young men, visibly affected by swollen limbs caused by Kush, congregating on street corners. The drug’s affordability has made it particularly appealing to the impoverished population.
The grave situation took an even darker turn when drug addicts began digging up graves in pursuit of decomposed human bones to use in making Kush. This alarming trend underscores the unprecedented challenge that local authorities face in combating the drug crisis.
President Bio’s declaration of a national emergency underscores the gravity of the situation. He emphasized the urgent need to address drug abuse, particularly focusing on the devastating consequences of Kush on the country’s youth. A comprehensive strategy, including the establishment of a national task force on substance abuse, is being implemented to pave the way towards a drug-free future.
Dr. Abdul Jalloh, the head of the Sierra Leone Psychiatric Hospital, expressed support for the president’s emergency declaration, emphasizing its critical role in addressing drug use and its associated health issues.
Despite the absence of an official death toll directly linked to Kush abuse, reports from Freetown indicate that hundreds of young men have succumbed to organ failure caused by the drug in recent months. The impact of Kush on mental health is equally alarming, with admissions to psychiatric facilities skyrocketing by a staggering 4,000% between 2020 and 2023.
Sierra Leone faces an unprecedented crisis driven by the devastating effects of Kush—a drug that has not only ravaged individuals but also threatened the fabric of society. Urgent measures are imperative to curb its spread and mitigate its destructive impact on the nation’s youth and future.
The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but with concerted efforts and collaborative action across all sectors of society, Sierra Leone can strive towards healing and recovery from the horrors inflicted by the Zombie drug, Kush.
