IN Sierra Leone, a disturbing trend has emerged as drug dealers resort to grave robbery to meet the demand for a psychoactive substance dubbed the ‘Zombie‘ drug, commonly referred to as ‘Kush’.
This narcotic, which surfaced in Sierra Leone back in 2018, is notorious for inducing a hypnotic high lasting several hours.
However, its alarming rise has posed unprecedented challenges for the local government.
As per reports, the psychoactive drug’s main ingredient includes ground-up human bone, extracted from partially decomposed corpses.
Aside from Sierra Leone, West African nations Liberia and Guinea also recorded Kush abuse.
In response to this alarming situation, the Sierra Leonean government has declared a state of national emergency to address the issue.
Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, addressed the severity of the crisis, referring to it as an “existential threat” due to the devastating impact of drug and substance abuse, particularly stemming from the synthetic drug Kush.
“Our country is currently faced with an existential threat due to the ravaging impact of drugs and substance abuse, particularly the devastating synthetic drug Kush,” according to Pres. Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone.
Bio has established a task force dedicated to eradicating drug abuse and drug trafficking networks in Sierra Leone.
Authorities are now taking drastic measures, including guarding cemeteries to prevent further grave desecration for the production of the ‘Zombie’ drug.
It has been reported that drug dealers have resorted to breaking into thousands of tombs to obtain human skeletons for this illegal trade.
As for the rising cases of drug addiction, Sierra Leone is focusing on establishing rehabilitation centers across the country. Currently, there is only one functioning drug rehabilitation center in the capital city of Freetown, which has been criticized for its inadequate facilities.
There is no official death toll associated with ‘Kush’ abuse, but a report citing admissions to the Sierra Leone Psychiatric Hospital with illnesses linked to this drug have surged dramatically, increasing by four thousand percent between 2020 and 2023.
