Implications of President Bio’s Moral Panic Over KUSH Drugs in Sierra Leone

In recent decades, West Africa has experienced an alarming rise in the incidence of illicit drug usage, much like other parts of the world. Numerous reports linked the predominance to the unrestricted importation of various drugs from continents like South America and some regions of Asia. In addition, there is a growing trend in the sub-region about the production of certain illegal substances. Drug trafficking and consumption have negative effects even in Sierra Leone, a country that has faced numerous socioeconomic and political challenges since the end of its civil war.  According to recent figures, the fatality rate from illegal drug use is 3.17 per 100,000 of the country’s population. And the country is rated 24th in the world based on the percentage of drug-related deaths compared to overall deaths recorded each year.

In 2023, there were reports from the media that the youths had found a new drug called ‘Kush’, and one of its main ingredients is human bones. Before adding human bones, Kush adds cannabis and tramadol, among others, which make users zombies. In order to satisfy their needs, the reports revealed techniques used for digging up skeletons from graves. Looking at the level of use and its consequences across districts, President Julius Maada Wonie Bio declared a national emergency.

President Bio said: “I say to anyone who is involved in the production, trafficking, and illicit trade of these drugs that YOUR TIME IS UP. There shall be no sacred cows in our quest to decisively deal with those who are caught in the act of peddling these drugs in our country.

“We are strengthening our law enforcement efforts to crack down on drug trafficking and distribution network. We will work tirelessly to disrupt the supply chains that fuel this epidemic and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

“We would also empower our judiciary to act decisively and prioritise drug related cases so that anyone arrested for the shipment, production and illicit trading of the chemical components and final synthetic drugs will be tried with the full weight of the law.”

Moral entrepreneurship: President Bio

Based on the announcement and the viewpoints presented, our analyst concludes that President Bio has utilized the national broadcast as a policy weapon as well as a venue for creating moral panic about ‘Kush’ and other illicit narcotics. This, according to our analysis, has also made him a moral entrepreneur, or someone who responds to perceived threats in society. As one would expect from a moral entrepreneur, President Bio expressed concern that the country is facing an existential threat as a result of the terrible effects of drugs and substance usage, particularly the synthetic narcotic Kush. Also, despite official efforts to combat the spread and use of narcotics, the country is experiencing the damaging effects of Kush on its youth, indicating a level of state futility in controlling the situation.

The fact that the degeneration and frightening mortality of young people as a result of Kush addiction is no longer acceptable shows the possibility of using legal rather than social ways to solve the problem. This, according to our analyst, demonstrates the President’s willingness to employ moral panics to drive policy surrounding persons involved in illegal drug trafficking and consumption.

As expected, the president’s declaration has facilitated media inclusion as another moral entrepreneur. Since the announcement of the national emergency, national, regional, and international media have been reporting the issue from different perspectives. Media outlets such as the British Broadcasting Corporation, CNN, The First Post, and The Guardian UK have reported it and revealed varied factors such as unemployment and poor control mechanisms as key factors enabling the trafficking and use of illicit drugs in the West African nation.

Our analysis of the views expressed by some Sierra Leoneans who commented on the First Post’s report indicates their seamless keying into the fear narratives embedded in the report. One commenter says: “It doesn’t only cause a swelling foot; it also damages the skin with a big wound, etc. As in the video, even though the guy in the blue uniform is a national police officer, he still takes it; who else will fight against it? It is brought by politicians and well-connected people to the government. Youth lives are being ruined to death. Only God’s intervention can help.”

Another commenter who stresses social solutions to the issue notes that cracking down is not enough. “Create employment for your people, African leaders. The corruption is so insane! When are we going to get things right? Most youth are helpless.”

“The use of this drug is a direct result of a lack of comprehensive technical training that is relevant and self-sufficient. Users are drawn to it because it gives them a feeling of euphoria, an emotion associated with near death and extremely traumatic experiences. It makes them feel relevant to future possibilities, which is the most addictive feeling—an oxytocin release,” another concerned citizen pointed out.

Existing and Likely Policy Issues

In his speech, President Bio itemized steps the government will follow in the next few days in order to address the problem, stressing the broadening of the Government Task Force’s work and adopting a multifaceted approach to addressing the increasing Kush epidemic. The National Task Force will be multi-sectoral, comprising key government ministries, departments, and agencies; security and law enforcement agencies; community organizations; non-governmental organizations; development partners; religious organizations; and recovering people with substance use disorders. The National Task Force will be supervised by a Presidential Advisory Team.