Sierra Leone declares war on drugs

The West African nation of Sierra Leone has declared a national emergency to fight the rampant drug abuse, particularly among the youth.

For years, young urban lives have been sapped due to addiction to Kush, a mixture of additive substances.

“Our country is currently facing an existential threat due to the devastating impact of drugs and drug addiction, in particular the devastating synthetic drug kush,” President Julius Maada Bio said in an address to the nation this week.

A task force has been set up to prevent, treat and provide social services support as well as law enforcement and community engagement in Sierra Leone to fight the calamity.

But mental health experts told DW that kush intake can lead to permanent brain damage and suicidal actions.

One mental health expert, Dr Abdul Jalloh of the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association, said that in 2023, cases of drug abuse rose from 2% to 40% over a two-year period, DW reported.