AWE Media Sierra Leone

By Alex Paul Bangah – Health and Social Affairs Correspondent Sierra Leone stands at a critical crossroads as drug abuse continues to ravage communities, leaving behind broken families, lost youth, and a shaken national image. What began as a silent health problem has now evolved into a national emergency, one that exposes deep-rooted issues of power, corruption, and press intimidation. In recent years, the streets of Freetown, Makeni, Kono, Bo, and other parts of the country have witnessed a worrying surge in the use of kush, a deadly synthetic substance mixed with cannabis, chemicals, and in some cases, human remains. Health officials are overwhelmed by the growing number of young people collapsing, hallucinating, or dying from overdoses. But while the public bears the brunt of this health crisis, insiders say the real battle lies behind closed doors. Sources within law enforcement allege that some high-profile individuals are directly involved in the importation and distribution of ...