Sierra Leone president warns kush sellers to stop

President Julius Maada Bio has ordered sellers of the synthetic drug Kush and other harmful substances to stop their trade immediately. He issued the warning during a visit to the Government’s Harmful Drug Rehabilitation Facility in Hastings on October 30, 2025. The president stated that these peddlers are profiting from an illicit trade that is causing widespread damage in Sierra Leone.

Addressing recovering victims, Bio assured them of his administration's dedication to halting the sale of dangerous drugs. He expressed sadness that some parents are involved in selling Kush and urged them to find legitimate ways to earn a living. The president also called on the judiciary and police to intensify actions against those involved in the illegal drug trade.

President Bio highlighted the government's efforts to protect Kush users by establishing rehabilitation centers in Hastings, Gondama, and Daru, with plans for another in Makeni. He noted that the drug has caused the deaths of an unspecified number of young people since its emergence around 2019. The Presidential Task Force on Drugs and Substance Abuse was launched, and a national emergency declared to combat drug use.

Why it mattersSierra Leonean citizens, particularly young people, are at risk of addiction and death from the synthetic drug Kush.

Sources