Kush is a highly addictive synthetic drug that mimics the effects of cannabis. Its effects are devastating. Testimonies.
Kush is a mixture of dried leaves and chemicals such as acetone. With its unclear composition, this synthetic drug is manufactured and distributed by criminal gangs.
Over the past six years, kush has spread to several West African countries, especially in Sierra Leone, where an increasing number of young people, some barely adolescents, are becoming addicted.
These young people gather in clandestine places to consume this drug, sold at 5,000 leones or 25 cents in dollars. Its "cheap" price is one of the secrets of its devastating success.
Taking kush leads to a trance-like state that can last up to an hour after just a few puffs. Some kush users testify to the difficulty of withdrawal and the physical dependence created after several years of consumption.
Like any drug, kush has often irreversible consequences on the youth in Sierra Leone, causing concern among social workers such as Ibrahim Koroma.
The country's psychiatric hospital is overwhelmed by drug addicts admitted by their families in the hope of detoxifying them. However, the severe cases treated at the hospital represent only the visible part of the problem.
Furthermore, resources dedicated to post-detoxification follow-up are insufficient, leading to high relapse rates.
The situation is therefore alarming, requiring a swift strategy to address this phenomenon with disastrous health and social effects.