CURRENT REPORT BLOG A dangerous new drug, known as “kush,” is wreaking havoc in Sierra Leone, turning many young people into “zombies.” Some variations of the drug reportedly contain human bone fragments, sourced by breaking into graves. Kush, a cheap and popular substance at just 20p per joint, is technically illegal but is openly bought and sold on the streets of Freetown. Its exact ingredients, including opioids like fentanyl, herbs, and ground-up human bones, vary with each batch. Medical experts suggest that the bones, containing traces of sulphur, may enhance the drug’s effects.
The consequences of kush addiction are severe, with victims like Abu Bakhar abandoning career aspirations and losing homes, resorting to living on a landfill site to support their addiction. Over a thousand people are said to live on the dump, scavenging for items to sell and buy more kush. The drug’s impact extends beyond personal lives, jeopardizing Sierra Leone’s future professionals, as the country’s youth face the risk of becoming homeless addicts. The alarming spread of kush addiction raises concerns about destabilizing the nation.
