KUSH CRISIS: WHO’S TO BLAME

By: Yusuf Ibrahim Kamara (The Wise Thinker)

The alarming rise in deaths linked to kush consumption has sent shockwaves through communities across Sierra Leone. As more young people fall victim to the deadly effects of this potent drug, questions mount about who is to blame for this growing crisis.

Kush a street name often used for a highly potent form of cannabis or synthetic blends has become widely available in major cities, particularly in Freetown. Reports from medical facilities and community leaders indicate a disturbing surge in fatalities and serious health complications directly connected to kush use.

Families mourn loved ones lost to overdose, psychosis, and violent behavior attributed to kush intoxication. Youths who once showed promise are now caught in the grip of addiction, their futures cut short. “I lost my younger brother last month,” said one grieving mother. “He started smoking kush with friends and changed completely. No one warned us how dangerous it was.”

Experts point fingers at multiple sources for the kush epidemic. Illegal drug traffickers and local dealers are primary culprits, flooding neighborhoods with cheap, deadly supplies. Despite efforts by law enforcement, including recent cannabis seizures, the trade thrives in the shadows.

“There is a lucrative market for kush,” explained a security official who asked not to be named. “The profits encourage traffickers to take extreme risks. The government and police need more resources to dismantle these networks.”

Meanwhile, public health officials stress the lack of awareness and education about kush dangers. “Many youths are uninformed about the health risks,” said a health advocate. “We need widespread campaigns to inform communities and provide support for addicts.”

The government has been urged to strengthen drug control policies, enhance rehabilitation programs, and improve community engagement to tackle kush abuse holistically.

Civil society groups call for collaborative action. “It’s not just about arrests,” said a youth leader. “We must address the social and economic factors pushing young people toward kush, such as unemployment and peer pressure.”

As Sierra Leone grapples with this escalating public health crisis, responsibility lies across multiple levels from drug traffickers and dealers to authorities, families, and society at large. Without urgent, coordinated efforts, more lives will continue to be lost to kush abuse.