Sierra Leoneans sound alarm on kush epidemic, call for tougher action – Afrobarometer

Virtually all Sierra Leoneans who are aware of kush say abuse of the drug is a significant problem in the country, the latest Afrobarometer survey reveals.

Findings show that more than nine in 10 citizens have heard of kush.

Among them, three-fifths say they know of a neighbour who has used the drug, while almost half have friends or family who have consumed it. Youth are more likely to report personally being aware of users.

Large majorities say imposing harsher penalties and enforcing strict border control measures are the best way to tackle the crisis.

On 6 June 2024, President Bio declared a national emergency on substance abuse, with a focus on kush, following a reported rise in kush-related fatalities.
He committed to establishing a national task force on substance abuse, overseen by a presidential advisory team. Strategies to address the crisis include both treatment and support for addicts, as well as strengthening law enforcement measures to dismantle drug trafficking networks and to hold traffickers accountable.