Leading All People’s Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Lawyer Ady Macauley, has raised alarms over the escalating national crisis posed by the widespread use of Kush, a dangerous synthetic drug affecting young people across Sierra Leone.
Speaking during an interview with Voice of America, Macauley described the situation as a “public health crisis, social emergency, and security threat” with far-reaching consequences for the country’s development and stability.
“Everyone in Sierra Leone is now a vigilante,” Macauley said, citing recent figures from the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, who reported that 222 destitute individuals had died on the streets over the past month due to Kush use. He stressed that the crisis has triggered national awareness as the effects of the drug become increasingly visible, turning many young people into what he described as “zombies.”
Macauley highlighted that the epidemic primarily affects individuals aged 15 to 35 and noted that previous government measures have been insufficient. “A year ago, President Julius Maada Bio declared a state of emergency, but the situation has worsened due to strategic, structural, and policy shortcomings,” he said.
He pointed to the limited capacity of law enforcement agencies tasked with combating Kush, including the Sierra Leone Police Force, the Transnational Organized Crimes Unit (TUCU), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), noting that the NDLEA’s annual budget for 2025 is reportedly below $100,000—far too little given the scale of the problem.
“Most affected youths are unemployed, including university graduates,” Macauley explained, linking high unemployment and urban poverty to the surge in drug use. “For some, Kush has become an escape from daily hardships.”
Macauley also criticized the government’s approach for treating the crisis primarily as a law enforcement issue rather than a public health and socioeconomic challenge. He cited the closure of several rehabilitation centers due to lack of funding as evidence of systemic shortcomings and urged a shift toward prevention, treatment, and youth empowerment.
Looking ahead, Macauley called for a unified national strategy combining healthcare, law enforcement, education, and social reform. He emphasized the need for stronger border control and regional collaboration, noting that Kush is increasingly being trafficked across Sierra Leone’s borders into neighboring countries, including Guinea and Liberia.
“The problem of Kush has economic, social, and security implications. Wherever there are drugs, there are guns, money laundering, and other social malaise that can undermine our economy and national reputation,” he said. Macauley stressed that a coordinated regional response, led by Sierra Leone as ECOWAS chairman, is essential to address both the supply and demand sides of the crisis.
