In Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, a sprawling landfill spews smoke over piles of decomposing waste, creating a grim backdrop for an intensifying crisis. Here, amidst the haze and debris, Zainab, like many others, finds herself ensnared in a battle against addiction to kush — a low-cost synthetic drug wreaking havoc on the nation’s youth.
Zainab, visibly affected, acknowledges her dependency, stating, “This kush is so addictive. If I don’t smoke, I feel sick.” Her life, encased in the confines of a ramshackle metal dwelling, bears testimony to her struggles. As a sex worker, she relies on her earnings to fuel her addiction, highlighting a cycle of despair common among many women in her situation.
Despite the government’s declaration of a public health emergency last year to combat the surge in kush abuse, intervention efforts seem to bypass women, leaving them entrenched in a host of social issues. While officials commend the scarcity of kush on the streets due to new policies, critics argue the initiatives remain underfunded and ineffective, particularly for women. Only a fraction, around 300 individuals, have accessed official rehabilitation services, predominantly men.
Women, historically marginalized from these interventions, face numerous obstacles in seeking help. As the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime points out, only one in 18 women with drug use disorders receives treatment, compared to one in seven men. These figures underscore a glaring disparity, exacerbated by gender-based violence and economic discrimination.
In Sierra Leone, societal factors further complicate women’s ability to access support. Advocacy groups highlight the invisibility of women in these crises, who often encounter shame and isolation. Zainab, entrapped in five years of kush use, reflects, “I did not know what was happening around me,” yet she harbors a desire to quit, fueled by memories of a devastating fire that endangered her children.
The drug poses a significant challenge due to its evolving composition, affordability, and widespread presence in Sierra Leone, one of the poorest nations globally. A recent report indicated alarming opioid levels in kush samples, complicating counter-efforts. Kadiatu Koroma from Women for Women Foundation reports an increase in drug use among women and girls, who frequently become victims of exploitation in their vulnerable states.
At Freetown’s Kissy Psychiatric Hospital, health practitioners encounter multiple kush variants. Nurse Kadiatu Dumbuya reveals that a significant number of female kush patients have resorted to selling their bodies for sustenance. Yet, in one government rehab center, out of 50 participants, only a handful are women.
The rehab program, launched early in 2024, faces criticisms of gender imbalance and operational challenges. Despite claims of a gender-sensitive design, with separate enclosures for men and women, stigma and familial pressures often deter women from seeking help. An ambassador program aimed at aiding reintegration has stalled due to financial constraints, exacerbating the situation.
Funding woes and societal perceptions continue to hinder progress in the fight against kush. While the government’s emergency declaration marked a shift from punitive to supportive measures, experts argue the response still falls short. Local nonprofit organizations like the Social Linkages For Youth Development And Child Link strive to provide targeted aid for female kush users, blending community support with empowerment initiatives.
Some, like Marie Kamara, choose to abandon kush for other substances like Tramadol, aware of the perilous path forged by kush use. Her harrowing experiences serve as a stark reminder of the dire consequences, with friends lost to the drug and the grim reality of exploitation.
In a country where resources are stretched thin, the ongoing battle against synthetic drugs like kush demands robust and inclusive approaches. Acknowledging the unique challenges faced by women is imperative to devising effective solutions that offer hope and recovery for all affected individuals.