National Crisis Arises from Highly Addictive Drug 'Kushi'
Graveyards Dug Up to Obtain Human Bones
In Sierra Leone, West Africa, drugs containing human bones are reportedly being circulated. Due to this, reports have emerged that Sierra Leone is facing an existential crisis.
On the 5th (local time), the British BBC broadcast reported that the psychoactive drug "Kushi," which contains human bones, has rapidly spread in Sierra Leone over the past few years.
The components of Kushi include fentanyl, tramadol, and formalin used for embalming corpses, but the exact reason for including human bones is not clearly known.
BBC stated, "Due to Kushi's strong addictiveness, addicts have begun digging up human bones from cemeteries to manufacture the drug, and cemetery security has been strengthened to prevent this."
Currently, police are stationed at a cemetery in the eastern part of Freetown at night. Kweku Risk, Deputy Mayor of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, said that police were requested to protect cemeteries to crack down on grave robbers.
Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, described the increasing deaths caused by Kushi as a "death trap." He expressed concern that this drug poses an existential threat to the nation and has ordered the formation of a nationwide special task force to combat Kushi.
President Bio also added, "Drug rehabilitation centers will be established in all regions, and trained professionals will be assigned to these centers."
Although there is no official death toll from Kushi, BBC cited a doctor's testimony stating, "In recent months, hundreds of young men have died in Freetown alone due to organ failure caused by Kushi." It is known that admissions related to Kushi at Sierra Leone's psychiatric hospital surged by about 4000% between 2020 and 2023, reaching 1,865 patients.
Additionally, BBC reported that young men with swollen limbs due to Kushi addiction can be easily seen on the streets of Sierra Leone. One addict receiving treatment with bandages around his ankles said, "I hate taking the drug, but I can't stop because it makes me feel good."
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