Emergency situation in Sierra Leone over the drug ‘Kush’ made from human bones

The West African country of Sierra Leone has declared a state of emergency over the growing use of the drug kush. The substance not only causes serious addiction, but additionally comprises human bones in its ingredients.

Kush in Sierra Leone do not be confused for a drug with the same name in the USA, it says. Unlike the American version, which consists of a combination of various chemicals sprayed onto plant material for smoking, the Kush from Sierra Leone that users smoke is exclusive. According to some sources, it comprises cannabis, fentanyl, tramadol, formaldehyde and apparently ground human bones. It has been suggested that the sulfur content of bones contributes to feelings of arousal.

Drug exists as According to . it’s a highly addictive psychoactive substance. The most sinister element is human bones, and strict security measures have been introduced in cemeteries to discourage grave robbers.

Increased abuse of the drug in Sierra Leone has forced its president, Julius Maada Bio, to declare the issue a crisis. He clearly called kush a “death trap.”

“Our country now faces an existential threat from the devastating impact of drugs and substance abuse, particularly the devastating synthetic drug kush,” President Bio declared in a national broadcast on April 4.

Kush, used primarily by men aged 18 to 25, induces episodes of sleepwalking.

As Kush takes its toll in Sierra Leone, an increasing number of users are dying from organ failure in hospitals across the country. Additionally, its consumption has contributed to more hospitalizations for mental health treatment. There is just one psychiatric hospital in the country, which said the variety of patients increased by almost 4,000% from 2020 to 2023.

To defuse the emergency, the president ordered the creation of a National Drug and Substance Abuse Task Force. In every district in the country, a middle “with an appropriate staff of trained specialists” will likely be established to assist people combating drug addiction.

However, some Sierra Leoneans have expressed doubts whether the current strategy will deliver results. The president’s critics say his administration doesn’t have the resources or ambition to actually fight the problem.

“The authorities must do much beyond the president’s speech last night to combat this scourge,” said Marie, a Sierra Leonean mother whose son died after taking the drug.

However, the director of the Sierra Leone Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Abdul Jalloh, believes that recognition remains to be helpful.

“This means prioritizing resources, attention and interventions to combat this growing epidemic,” Dr. Jalloh said.

Currently, the only drug rehabilitation center in Sierra Leone is situated in its capital, Freetown. While the 100-bed facility continues to assist struggling users, facilities in other areas are waiting for more to open.