By Amara Thoronka

Drug intake and drug addiction are not new realities. They have been there for so long. From cocaine to brown-brown to ecstasy to heroin to marijuana to tramadol; harmful drugs have always been around and consumed. However, in the recent past of Sierra Leone, no harmful illegal drug has been so destructive like the much-talked-about substance in town, Kush.

Kush is a greenish dangerous substance wrapped and smoked just like marijuana. From close observation, after smoking the substance, one is transitioned to what looks like a state of partial unconsciousness or slumber. Those high on Kush are often seen posing at one place, staggering and nodding. Some sit, some lie on the ground or other surfaces while others stand nodding in slow motion. There are reports that bones of the dead are now being ground and mixed with the Kush substance, making it have a mind-blowing reaction on the brain and body in general.

The effect of Kush is alarming and all should be worried and concerned because the future of the country worrisome if drastic steps are not taking in combating the drug.

One major effect of Kush is its health risks. Generally, Kush addicts across the country have huge visible body wounds and other body abnormalities caused by the intake of the substance. When things get worse, the wound expands and begins to excrete certain kind of disgusting liquid. To hide the sore, affected Kush victims would wrap it with bandage or clothes. Interestingly, because of such situation, everyone who wraps bandage round his/her foot can be perceived as a Kush victim. That is how serious it has been. Since the drug gained momentum, many young Kush addicts have been found dead in private and public places countrywide.

As young people are mostly engaged in consuming the drug and being killed by it, the youthful population of the country is being reduced. Even the young Kush addicts alive cannot do anything productive as the drug seems to take away their strength and stamina.

The drug adversely affects the psychology of those who consume it. Kush, according to psychiatrists, is now a leading cause of mental health issues among young people in Sierra Leone. Kush addicts have been reduced to a status of incapability to contribute meaningfully to their families, communities and the nation as a whole. They hardly have anything meaningful to say. The drug entraps the proper functioning of their brains. Kush consumption and madness are bedfellows. It does not only make people emaciated and feeble, it also breaks down the reasoning ability. Sad!

As evident in the reactions of the drug, Kush consumers have strength deficiencies, thereby making them unable to engage in any legally meaningful source(s) of livelihood. However, because of the addiction, they would do anything to continue buying and smoking the substance. They can steal and sell or exchange anything just to be high on Kush. We have heard of instances where families with Kush addicts have been reduced to noting because of the sustaining stealing of money and valuables by their Kush addicted relations.

 This also have security implications as the most popular way of Kush consumers to get money and continue taking the brain-killing drug is by stealing anything they lay hands on. It is obvious that someone addicted to the substance cannot think normally, therefore such people are threats to the peace and security of peacefully sane persons and society.

The drug is depopulating the vibrant workforce of the nation [the youths]. It has rendered a good number of young people physically and mentally incapable to do anything meaningful. Kush has created a disgusting reality for a good number of young people roaming the streets with rags and huge water-oozing body injuries. Businesses of families with Kush addicts have been destroyed. The future is worrying as a significant portion of those who are to lead in the future are now in the clutches of Kush and other drugs.

Let’s act now, let’s act fearlessly. I want to believe that the importers, distributors and sellers of the drugs are not from the skies, but rather people in our families, compounds or communities. Let’s fearlessly and uncompromisingly expose them. Inasmuch as the government has the responsibility to handle the situation, we should not wait for government to do that which we can do in our communities to save our youths and our future.

The media should use its investigative reporting ability to expose the syndicate involved in the importation or in-country manufacturing, distribution and sale of the life-threatening drug. Mark you we [media practitioners] are watchdogs of society, and taking such venture is adhering to our watchdog role.

The police and the judiciary should also be very swift and robust in the investigation and prosecution of Kush pushers in the country, irrespective of the capacity of those involved. Hash penal measures should be imposed on those found culpable as a form of deterrent.

Political, traditional and religious community leaders, landlords/landladies and all of us should take the lead in owning and localizing the fight against Kush. There should be strong anti-Kush messages and strong commitment in curbing the menace at family and community levels.

This is and should be a concern for all – government, professional bodies, organizations, community leaders, and all of us. We can do it. Let’s do it, and the time to do it is now.

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)