Sierra Leone Declares National Emergency on Substance Abuse Due to Deadly Drug

Freetown, Sierra Leone — President Julius Maada Bio has declared a national emergency on substance abuse to combat the escalating crisis caused by a synthetic drug known as kush, which has led to hundreds of deaths and significant psychiatric damage among users in Sierra Leone. The announcement came during a late-night address on Thursday, highlighting the urgent need to address the drug abuse threatening the nation's youth.

Kush, a lethal mixture of marijuana, fentanyl, and tramadol, has been especially prevalent in Sierra Leone for the past four years. This highly addictive drug is readily available at low costs, making it accessible to the country's disillusioned and unemployed youth—a demographic particularly vulnerable given that around a quarter of Sierra Leone’s population lives in poverty.

In his speech, President Bio expressed deep concern over the "destructive consequences of kush on our country's very foundation: our young people." He detailed plans for a national task force on substance abuse, which will involve various sectors of society and operate under the supervision of a presidential advisory team. This task force aims to execute a five-step strategy towards achieving a drug-free future.

The urgency of this response is underscored by the absence of official figures on the exact number of deaths caused by kush, although the government acknowledges the severity of the crisis. Local communities have been vocal in their calls for government action to address the widespread issue and assist in managing the impact on drug users.

Dr. Abdul Jalloh, head of Sierra Leone’s only psychiatric hospital, hailed the declaration as a crucial step towards curbing drug use and its devastating effects. The move also resonates in neighboring Liberia, where kush is similarly found and poses a significant public health challenge.

The national emergency declaration is seen as a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone's fight against a deepening drug epidemic, with hopes pinned on the newly formed task force to bring about significant change and protect the country's younger generation.