A recent report released by an anti-transnational crime group has shed light on the core chemical components of kush, a synthetic drug that has been rapidly spreading through Sierra Leone and neighboring West African countries in recent years. The report, conducted by the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, conducted the first known testing of common varieties of kush available in the region and identified the presence of either nitazenes or synthetic cannabinoids.
The report highlighted that nitazenes, potent synthetic opioids, have been increasingly prevalent in global drug markets, with alarming rates of fatalities associated with their use. In fact, in countries like Estonia and Latvia, a significant percentage of drug-related deaths have been attributed to nitazenes, with one particular nitazene detected in kush being 25 times more potent than fentanyl.
President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has declared a war on kush, recognizing it as an epidemic and a national threat. He has initiated a task force on drug and substance abuse to address the issue through a comprehensive government approach focusing on prevention, treatment, and involving law enforcement and community engagement.
The report suggests that kush represents the first instance of nitazenes infiltrating West Africa's drug markets, aligning with global trends that have seen a surge in nitazenes and associated fatalities since late 2022. The path of kush into West Africa involves precursor chemicals being ordered from China and combined in labs in Freetown before being sprayed onto plant material for consumption.
Despite rumors about the ingredients in kush, including tramadol and human bones, the report clarifies that no evidence of such substances was found during testing. The drug's popularity has soared in West Africa, leading to a rise in deaths associated with its use. The highly addictive synthetic opioids and cannabinoids present in kush have had devastating effects on Sierra Leone, fueling addiction and overdose rates.
Local corruption has also been on the rise, with 'cartels' operating kush smoking bars in close proximity to police stations. As demand for kush continues to grow, overdose rates have increased due to new recipes and heightened usage. The global spread of nitazenes has been linked to overdose incidents in various regions, underscoring the urgent need for concerted efforts to combat the proliferation of synthetic drugs like kush.
