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Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio has proclaimed a National Emergency on Drugs and Substance Abuse in reaction to Kush’s catastrophic effects. This announcement comes amid requests to disrupt the supply chain and assist the many victims suffering as a result of the widespread usage of this hazardous chemical.
Tamba Bockarie aspired to be a CEO someday.
But his dream turned into a nightmare when he started smoking kush in 2021.
After quitting in February of this year, he now claims to be turning his life around for the better.
“I had to reflect my mind back from all the challenges I’ve been through in the past and I realized I was responsible for some of the challenges that have happened in my life. I also reflected on the positive side and realized there’s a better room for improvement for me to make it up in life. So that’s why I decided that it’s never too late in my life,” the Kush survivor says.
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health anticipates an increase in reported cases from 47 in 2020 to over 1800 hospital cases in 2023, while substantial data has yet to be released.
According to DR Jusu Mattia, acting medical superintendent at Sierra Leone Psychiatric Teaching Hospital, the usage of Kush can lead to bodily damage.
“Psychologically, there is dependence, which occurs when the patient becomes so reliant on the substance that they are unable to function without it. They have to replenish with Kush first thing in the morning, and then continue to use it throughout the day.”
Sierra Leoneans are hopeful that concerted efforts will result in a brighter, drug-free future.
Activists and volunteers continue to raise awareness and help people impacted by drug misuse.
“Now that government has now put state of emergency on Kush, we should use the other apparatus or the setup stage that was done for COVID and Ebola for us to use those structures- community structures, health structures, and psychosocial structures. And the community empowerment structures,” Habib Taigore Kamara, the executive director of Social Linkages for Youth Development and Child Link says.
