Kush, a cheap and highly addictive drug, has become a widespread problem in Sierra Leone and other West African countries, sweeping through at least six nations in recent years. In response, Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, declared last April that the drug had reached epidemic levels and posed a “national threat.” He launched a comprehensive task force to combat drug and substance abuse, focusing on prevention, treatment, and collaboration between law enforcement and community organizations.
However, one of the significant challenges in tackling the kush epidemic has been the lack of information regarding its chemical composition and origins. Efforts to address the issue have been complicated by the uncertainty surrounding what exactly is in the drug, and how it is produced and distributed.
Recently, tests conducted by the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) at the Sierra Leone government’s request have identified the core components of kush. The report, released on Tuesday, revealed that more than half of the samples analyzed contained nitazenes, a powerful and dangerous synthetic opioid. Nitazenes are up to 25% more potent than fentanyl, and their addictive properties significantly heighten the risks associated with kush consumption.
The other half of the samples contained synthetic cannabinoids, which are often associated with a variety of harmful effects on users. The report also shed light on the international scope of kush production, revealing that some of the raw chemical ingredients are imported from countries including China, the Netherlands, and possibly the United Kingdom. Once imported, the chemicals are combined in clandestine labs in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital, before being sprayed onto plant material and sold as kush.
As the popularity of kush continues to grow in Sierra Leone, so too has the number of associated deaths. This has fueled corruption and even led to the emergence of smoking bars operating near police stations, often with minimal interference from local authorities. The crisis remains a significant challenge for the government and calls for further action to curb the spread of this deadly drug.
The findings have prompted calls for urgent government intervention, improved public awareness, and stricter enforcement of drug laws to address the rapidly growing problem of kush in Sierra Leone and beyond.
