Sierra Leone has taken urgent action by declaring a national emergency in response to a surge in substance abuse cases. President Julius Maada Bio issued the decree on Thursday in light of the alarming increase in the consumption of a synthetic drug known as Kush.
Kush, a highly addictive substance composed of a blend of marijuana, fentanyl, and tramadol, has been linked to numerous fatalities and the deterioration of mental health among its users. Its presence in Sierra Leone emerged approximately four years ago and has since posed significant challenges. The drug’s usage is also prevalent in neighboring Liberia.
President Bio announced the formation of a task force to execute a comprehensive strategy aimed at tackling drug and substance abuse effectively. This initiative has been met with approval from medical professionals.
Sierra Leone, still recovering from a prolonged civil war that ended in 2002 and the devastating Ebola outbreak of eight years ago, faces ongoing economic challenges, compounded by persistently high rates of youth unemployment.
