Teens unable to walk, mothers with rash-covered babies: How the drug kush is ruining lives

Kush has shaken this part of West Africa to its core - not just Sierra Leone but Liberia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and the Gambia. It is highly addictive, ever-evolving, and affordable, with ingredients to make it sometimes shipped in from the UK.

Yousra Elbagir

Africa correspondent @YousraElbagir

Thursday 3 July 2025 16:48, UK

The highly addictive drug creating 'zombies' in Africa

A red shipping container sits on the tarmac of Sierra Leone's Queen Elizabeth II Quay, under swinging cranes and towering stacks of similar steel boxes.

This one will likely be parked at the port permanently. The contents are suspected to be the ingredients of kush, the deadly synthetic drug ravaging Sierra Leone.

Sky News was given access to the container two weeks after it was seized.

"Preliminary testing has shown that these items are kush ingredients," says the secretary of the Ports Authority, Martin George, as he points to the marked contraband in massive multicoloured Amazon UK bags and a large blue vat of strongly smelling acetone.

He adds: "Shipped from the United Kingdom."

The container was selected for screening based on its origin. The UK is with the EU and South America on the list of places considered high risk for the import of illicit substances, fuelling the drug trade in Sierra Leone and the region.

Kush has shaken this part of West Africa to its core - not just Sierra Leone but Liberia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and the Gambia. It is highly addictive, ever-evolving, and affordable.

The sprayed grey-green marshmallow leaves are rolled in a joint like marijuana and are extremely dangerous. Samples of the drug tested by researchers contained nitazenes, one of the deadliest synthetic drugs in the world.

"It was a shock to find them in around half of the kush samples we tested, as at that point there was no public evidence they had reached Africa," says Lucia Bird Ruiz-Benitez de Lugo from Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC) who independently tested kush from Sierra Leone.

"Nitazenes are among the deadliest drugs available on retail drug markets across the world - with one nitazene in kush in Freetown being 25 times stronger than fentanyl," she added.

The shocking effects of its potency can be seen on the bodies of young men and women around Freetown. Teenagers with sores eating away at their legs, unable to walk. Mothers who smoked during pregnancy carrying sickly rash-covered infants. Young men drooling from the intense high and slumped over while still standing.

They are not the fringes of Sierra Leonean society but a growing demographic of kush users searching for an escape. People riddled by poverty and unemployment, living in the dark corners of a capital city which has endured a brutal civil war and Ebola epidemic in the last three decades alone.

An entire community of men and women of all ages is held together by kush addiction under a main road that cuts through the heart of Freetown.

They call themselves the "Under de Bridge family" and live in the shadows of the overpass, surrounded by the sewage and rubbish discarded by their neighbours.

One of them tells us the harsh conditions drive him to keep smoking kush even after losing more than 10 friends to the drug - killed by large infected sores and malnutrition.

Nearby, 17-year-old Ibrahim is pained by growing sores and says the drug is destroying his life.

"This drug is evil. This drug is bad. I don't know why they gave me this drug in this country. Our brothers are suffering. Some are dying, some have sores on their feet. This drug brings destruction," he says.

"Look at me - just because of this drug. I have sores on my feet."

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Sierra Leone: Small Country, Massive Suffering: How did it all fall apart?

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Across a stream of sewage, a young mother expecting her second child cries from fear and anguish when I ask her about the risk of smoking while pregnant.

"Yes, I know the risk," Elizabeth says, nodding.

"I'll keep smoking while I live here but I have nowhere else to go. It helps me forget my worries and challenges."

Life under the bridge is disrupted from its sleepiness by a yell. A plain-clothed police officer is chasing a child accused of selling kush.

The lucrative industry is absorbing all age groups and spreading rapidly to nearby countries - even passing through three different borders to reach the smallest nation in mainland Africa, The Gambia.

Police hunt for kush dealers in West Africa—The Video

Gambian law enforcement has cracked down on spreading kush use with regular zero tolerance drug raids. The small population is extremely vulnerable and the country is yet to open its first rehabilitation centre. Rising xenophobia seems to be mostly directed at Sierra Leonean immigrants who they blame for smuggling kush into the country.

We spoke to one man from Sierra Leone who was arrested for dealing kush in The Gambia and spent a year in prison. He says that though he feels saddened other Sierra Leoneans are being alienated as a result of the trade he was involved in, he has no remorse for "following orders".

"Do I feel guilty for selling it? No, I don't feel guilty. I'm not using my money to buy the kush, people always give me money to get kush for them," he tells Sky News anonymously.

"I needed a job. I needed to take care of my son."

Gambia's hardline approach has been credited with driving its local kush industry underground rather than eradicating it but is still hailed as the most impactful strategy in the region. Sierra Leone's government told Sky News it needs help from surrounding countries and the UK to tackle the sprawling crisis.

Transnational crime experts like Lucia Bird Ruiz-Benitez de Lugo see the rise of kush as part of a global synthetic drugs network that requires a multi-national response.

"Coordinated action is urgently needed across the supply chain, particularly focused on nitazenes - the deadliest kush component," says Ms Bird.

"Our research indicated that kush components are being imported to West Africa from countries in Asia and Europe, likely including the UK. All countries in the supply chain bear responsibility to act to mitigate the devastating and expanding impacts of kush across West Africa, a region with scarce resources to respond."

SKY NEWS' AFRICA CORRESPONDENT WINS AWARD

• Yousra Elbagir has been named a winner of the International Women's Media Foundation 2025 Courage in Journalism Awards.
• She has chronicled the current war in Sudan, which has displaced more than 13 million people, including her own family.
• Recently, Elbagir led the only television news crew to document the fall of Goma - the regional capital of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo - to M23 rebels backed by Rwanda.
• In the past year, her reports from the frontlines of Sudan's war have broadcast massive scenes of devastation inside a global humanitarian crisis.
• She said, "Our job as journalists is to reveal the truth and inform the public. Sometimes, it's about exposing the misdeeds of the powerful. Other times, it's about capturing the scale and depth of human suffering. Our job is also getting more difficult: Information wars and contempt for legacy media are growing by the day, which makes our job even more important."
• Elbagir added: "It is an honor to receive the IWMF Courage Award and join the ranks of such incredible women journalists. The courage to share the truth in our polarised world is at the heart of public service journalism, and to be recognized for it is truly affirming - it gives me faith that people are listening."

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“KUSH na Salone: _dis borbor start e yone quick. SaLone na sad case Man!”

— Source: In Video

KUSH na Salone: _dis borbor start e yone quick. SaLone na sad case Man! pic.twitter.com/YjzXVsAA6T

— Yame.space (@SpaceYame) July 19, 2025

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“Youth Empowerment Advocacy | ‘Leh we Fix SaLone: One Youth at a Time.’ Educational Videos!”

— Source: Dr. Prince Hycy Bull

Sierra Leone's Problems Are Compounded by Political Design

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We have essentially prepared our own downfall and set the stage for our collective destruction. Simply put, we are witnessing the collapse of something that was once considered powerful and beautiful.

We seem to tolerate corruption, appoint corrupt people to government positions, and expect better results. How stupid are we?

Our nation suffers under the weight of greed, corruption, tribalism, political interference, and manipulation.

Sierra Leone: Experience the Breathtaking Beauty of a Sunset in May 2025

The sky transforms into a breathtaking canvas of vibrant colors—deep oranges, fiery reds, and soft pinks blending seamlessly into the fading blue.

This beautiful scenery is set in Freetown around 6:30 PM—Imagine standing on the golden sands as the sun begins its slow descent.

The moment captures the stunning harmony of nature and vibrant culture, powerfully showcasing the warmth and resilience of the Sierra Leonean people.

Despite Sierra Leone's abundant natural resources, cultural heritage, and substantial mining activities, many citizens wonder why these advantages have not resulted in widespread economic benefits for the nation.

'What is eating the bean seed is within the bean seed.'

The issue lies in the fact that a significant number of individuals seem to lack a true sense of conscience. Day after day, it is our leaders who deny the people what is justly theirs. They consistently act against the interests of the very citizens they are meant to serve, prioritizing their agendas over the population's well-being.

They work against the best interests of the people, never for their benefit, but always to their detriment.

Why aren’t the activities of these mining companies benefiting our national economy?

One could argue that the real challenge lies not only in sharing the benefits of mining more equitably but also in ensuring that the growth it generates leads to tangible improvements in people's everyday lives. However, this issue is more complex due to factors such as greed, corruption, tribalism, political interference, and manipulation.

Dodgy mining agreements, corruption, and political interference have undermined our government and ministerial agencies responsible for regulation and revenue collection, allowing foreign mining companies to exploit our resources.

Minerals in Sierra Leone are being looted with impunity.

The way the government is entering into agreements with foreign companies to exploit the country's mineral resources is troubling.

Mining companies come to our town armed with a cadre of lawyers and a pre-prepared mining agreement that is designed to exploit our community. Are we really paying attention to the fine print, and do we have equal representation at the negotiation table? Let's be honest. ‘I doubt anyone in government actually cares.’

Questionable mining agreements signed by previous and current governments allow mining companies to evade paying substantial taxes.

Four out of five mines in Sierra Leone—Koidu Holdings, African Minerals, Sierra Mineral Holdings 1, and Sierra Rutile—are owned through intermediaries based in tax havens like Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands.

Despite rising mineral prices, mining companies in Sierra Leone rarely report profits, resulting in low corporate income tax revenues.

A critical report titled "Not Sharing the Loot" was published in 2011 by the Danish development organization DanWatch in collaboration with Sierra Leone’s civil society group, the Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD). This investigation focused on the social responsibility, tax payments, and corporate structures within Sierra Leone's mining industry. Since the report's release, there have been few, if any, changes in the government's operational methods.

“Iron ore extracted from the Tonkolili District, Gbaray Junction, and Lunsar by the CTC Chinese Group and Marampa Mines Company Ltd.”

— Source: In Video

‘Beyond the Gravy’

A cargo train consisting of 90 fully loaded wagons carrying iron ore extracted from the Tonkolili District, Gbaray Junction, and Lunsar by the CTC Chinese Group and Marampa Mines Company Ltd.

This situation cannot be considered development; instead, it represents a coordinated plunder by a select few individuals who are enriching themselves while 8 million citizens suffer in extreme poverty.

To ensure that the government receives a fair share of the value derived from underground resources, it is essential to implement effective fiscal policies and establish the capacity to monitor the mining sector. This includes the verification of production, exports, purchases, and financial transactions of large multinational corporations.

Dysfunction prevails. Those in power prioritize personal vendettas and flattery over effective governance.

We steer clear of conversations about governance due to the inherent risks involved. It is also because many of us benefit from the existing corrupt, directionless order.

Ask yourself! Sierra Leone. What about the ordinary citizens who are suffering? Consider the workers who toil all month for barely enough pay to get by, the families struggling to make ends meet, the market women facing daily challenges, and the underpaid teachers and nurses.

Think of the millions of unemployed youths who are endlessly searching for jobs and continue to lose hope. What about the families losing their mothers and babies in hospitals due to a lack of basic amenities like electricity and clean water? The shortage of medical equipment and medicine— is this the utopia you envisioned 64 years on?

It’s time to demand transparency and accountability in Sierra Leone. A renaissance is needed. Don’t be a pawn in a political theater driven by greed, corruption, power, and control.

Theo Edwards for YAME Digital

“Justice-Based Leadership: Power will not protect on the Day of Judgment.”

— Source

“When Power Ends, Legacy Speaks!”

— Source: The Moral of the Story | @SolutionCenter | June 16, 2025

Sierra Leone is not a learning ground for politicians, not because there are no lessons to be learned, but because too many refuse to learn.

Generation after generation, our leaders walk the same well-worn path: rise to power, gather followers, accumulate wealth, enjoy praise, and then fall into silence, isolation, or disgrace.

Let us call names, not out of malice, but out of truth:

Siaka Stevens: Once feared and revered, left behind children whose names have faded from national relevance, no political dynasty, no lasting legacy.

Joseph Saidu Momoh: Removed by a coup, left no structure, no enduring contribution—only memories of misrule.

The NPRC boys: Young and ambitious, took the nation by storm. Today, many live ordinary lives, forgotten, wandering, their moment long gone.

Pa Ahmad Tejan Kabbah: Hailed for peace and democratic transition, died in silence, abandoned in a urine-soaked room, with no security, no honour guard, no national gratitude. His children died one by one, not from curses, but from self-inflicted nothingness. His family name was erased quietly.

Ernest Bai Koroma: Not long ago, he was crowned “West Africa’s best” and lauded for his connections, wealth, and grip on power. Now, he cannot even freely enter his own country. His wife, brothers, and children were left adrift. His house sits, untouched. His voice silenced. His access to loved ones and loyalists cut off.

So, what is the moral of the story?

• Power is temporary

• Wealth is deceptive

• Praise is shallow

• And history is brutal

In Sierra Leone, 95% of former politicians go financially or morally bankrupt within three years of leaving office. The same people they fed, clothed, and sponsored during their reign disappear when the title is gone. What remains? Only legacy for good or for shame.

To today’s politicians and our loved SLPP brothers and sisters, especially those who think “this time will be different.”

Let history humble you: Your convoy will vanish. Your phone will stop ringing. Your praise singers will find a new master. And the people you once ignored will remember how you made them feel.

You may hold the flag now, but you will not hold it forever. And when it falls from your hands, you will either be remembered with gratitude or with contempt.

So serve well. Serve with integrity. Build people, not just portfolios. Leave systems, not scars.

Because when power ends and it always does, legacy speaks. And if your own truth doesn’t expose you, time will.

If time delays, death will write the final verdict as I have done here for Late Pa Kabba and others who have gone.

And if even death stays long enough, you will live to watch your name rot in the mouth of those who once praised you.

A word to the wise is enough, maybe not. ‘We dae watch from near and far.’

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'all man don turn mumu'

“Innocent Kuti - Mumu”

“Sierra Leone: KUSH victims’ death en de homeless na salone den dae put de body na resbag en lef na treet lek die-dog. Sad state! ”

— Courtesy