Sierra Leone is facing a serious crisis as the country is dealing with a surge in psychotropic drugs called bone addiction, forcing the government to declare a national emergency.
According to British media on April 6, Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, has become a battlefield, and police are guarding the cemetery to prevent young people from desecrating graves in search of human bones, one of the key ingredients of this deadly mixture.
"Bone addiction," a synthetic drug concocted from an array of toxic chemicals, herbs, marijuana and even disinfectants, has had a catastrophic impact across the country. Its formula consists of human bones crushed into powder, which is believed to enhance its effects due to the presence of traces of sulfur, which has been recognized by the government.
The cost of the pandemic has been staggering. While there are no official death figures, hundreds of young people have reportedly died from organ failure caused by "bone addiction" abuse. Admissions to psychiatric facilities have surged, with cases related to "bone addiction" increasing by nearly 4,000% between 2020 and 2023.
The worst affected are young people aged 18 to 25, who are attracted to this high level of cheapness, and in a country with an average income of just over £400, it's almost an irresistible temptation.
Abu Bakhar, a 25-year-old victim, complained that the drug had a bad effect on his life, confessing that it made him give up his dreams and turned him into a "zombie". His story is emblematic of many others who have been plagued by "bone addiction" who have given up their education and careers, leading to homelessness and despair.
In the face of this crisis, the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Mada Bio, has established a National Drug and Substance Abuse Task Force.
"Our country is currently facing an existential threat due to the devastating effects of drugs and substance abuse, particularly the devastating synthetic drug Kush," he said. ”
The initiative aims to establish treatment centers in each region staffed by professionals to provide care and support to those struggling with drug addiction. In addition, law enforcement is being asked to dismantle the drug supply chain through targeted investigations and prosecutions.
However, Sierra Leone's problems are not isolated. The effects of "bone addiction" have spread beyond borders, spreading in neighbouring Liberia and Guinea, where more than a million urban dwellers have fallen under its control. Dr. Edward Nashim, who consults psychiatry, attributes the spread to poor regulation, economic instability exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and mass unemployment among young people.
Sierra Leone stands at a crossroads, facing a daunting challenge that threatens its social fabric and economic stability.