Freetown Mayor Alarmed by Surge in Street Deaths Linked to 'Kush' Drug Crisis

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr Sounds Alarm on 'Kush' Epidemic

Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has expressed profound alarm over the increasing number of deceased individuals discovered in the capital city's streets, a phenomenon she described as the 'normalization of the abnormal.' The mayor directly linked this tragic rise in fatalities to the widespread abuse of 'Kush,' a potent synthetic drug, underscoring a deepening public health crisis in Sierra Leone.

Speaking in an interview, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr revealed that as of August 18, 2025, Freetown City Council staff had collected 128 bodies from public areas. By September 7, 2025, this figure had climbed to 142 bodies buried by the Freetown City Council due to 'Kush'-related causes since the beginning of 2025. An additional 32 bodies were retrieved in less than a month following the August 18 report, with most of the deceased identified as young people. She emphasized that these numbers represent only a fraction of the overall crisis, as many more families across Sierra Leone grapple with the drug's devastating effects.

The Deadly Toll of 'Kush'

The synthetic drug 'Kush' first emerged in Sierra Leone around 2016-2017 and has become increasingly prevalent since 2021, particularly among the nation's youth. Its devastating impact is evident in the physical and mental deterioration of users, leading to a significant number of deaths. Health experts indicate that 'Kush' abuse can result in:

• Organ failure
• Mental health breakdowns
• Swollen limbs and severe sores
• Sudden death

Users often seek the drug for its euphoric effects and its ability to induce forgetfulness of life's stresses, though its effects are short-lived, typically lasting between 5 to 30 minutes. The drug's affordability and accessibility have contributed to its widespread consumption, with prices in Freetown ranging from 15 to 20 SLL (US$0.50-$1.0) per dose in April 2024.

Understanding 'Kush': Composition and Origin

Initial speculation about 'Kush's' composition included substances like fentanyl, tramadol, acetone, formaldehyde, and even ground human bones. However, chemical testing conducted in 2024 and 2025 by organizations like the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime has provided clearer insights. The drug is primarily composed of:

• Nitazenes: Potent synthetic opioids, some found to be up to 25 times stronger than fentanyl and up to 100 times more potent than heroin.
• Synthetic cannabinoids: Such as MDMB-en-4-PINACA.

While acetone and formaldehyde are used in the manufacturing process, scientific analysis largely disproved the presence of human bones or other rumored ingredients. The active ingredients for 'Kush' are reportedly imported from countries including China, the Netherlands, and potentially the United Kingdom, often via postal courier services. Local synthesis of the drug also occurs in makeshift laboratories within Freetown.

Calls for Urgent Action and National Response

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr has made an urgent appeal for stronger political will and coordinated government intervention to address the crisis. She emphasized the need to disrupt the drug's supply chain and implement targeted rehabilitation and counseling programs for those struggling with addiction. The mayor's call echoes sentiments from various civil society leaders and activists who have urged the government to treat the 'Kush' epidemic with the same urgency as other national emergencies.

In April 2024, President Julius Maada Bio declared a national emergency over 'Kush,' branding it an 'epidemic' and an 'existential crisis' for the nation. A national task force was subsequently established to combat the drug. Despite efforts including crackdowns by security services and arrests of dealers and users, challenges persist. Rehabilitation resources remain limited, with the country's only psychiatric hospital reporting a 4000% increase in admissions for drug addiction between 2020 and 2023. The 'Kush' crisis has also spread beyond Sierra Leone, affecting other West African nations including Liberia, Guinea, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal, with Liberia also declaring a national emergency.