Sierra Leone’s President Declares National Emergency Over Rampant Drug Abuse
President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has declared a national emergency in response to widespread drug abuse, particularly fueled by the consumption of a substance known as “Kush.” This psychoactive blend of addictive substances has plagued the country for years, prompting President Bio to label it a “death trap” and identify it as an “existential crisis.”
The drug, which contains human bones among its many ingredients, has led to disturbing scenes of addicts gathering on street corners, their bodies swollen from its abuse. Security measures have been heightened in cemeteries to prevent addicts from exhuming skeletons for use in the drug’s production.
Despite the president’s efforts, including the establishment of a National Task Force on Drugs and Substance Abuse, the situation remains dire. Hundreds of deaths, attributed to organ failure caused by Kush, have been reported in recent months in the capital, Freetown.
The spike in Kush usage has also strained mental health services, with admissions related to the substance skyrocketing by almost 4,000% in the Sierra Leone Psychiatric Hospital. Moreover, the surge in drug use has prompted the need for police protection in cemeteries to deter grave desecration.
President Bio’s administration faces criticism for what some perceive as a lackluster response to the crisis, with calls for more robust strategies and interventions. Nevertheless, experts acknowledge the significance of the president’s emergency declaration, emphasizing the need for intensified efforts to combat the growing epidemic.
While the government has taken steps to address treatment and law enforcement, challenges remain, including the inadequate facilities at the country’s only functioning drug rehabilitation center. As Sierra Leone grapples with the devastating impact of Kush, there is a collective call for comprehensive action to confront this pressing public health issue.