By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, January 20, 2026: The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has sounded the alarm on the devastating impact of Kush, a synthetic drug ravaging communities across the country, with the launch of a groundbreaking video documentary and comprehensive report.
The event, held at the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) conference room, brought together key institutions including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ministry of Health, Sierra Leone Correctional Service, Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the military, civil society organizations, and the media.
Kush as a Human Rights Crisis
The documentary and report capture the lived experiences of Kush users and their families, alongside insights from health workers and law enforcement officers. They highlight how the drug epidemic intersects with fundamental human rights — including the right to health, dignity, due process, and protection from cruel or degrading treatment.
Richard Tamba M’Bayo, HRCSL’s Director of Education, Communication and Training, presented the findings and recommendations, urging government to take immediate action to eradicate Kush and other synthetic drugs.
Vice Chairperson Victor Idrissa Lansana Esq. described Kush as a national menace, calling on Sierra Leoneans to unite against it. “The documentary clearly shows our young people are being abused. The impact of Kush is quite telling, which is why we came in to let the government understand that the fight must be from a human rights perspective,” he said.
Government Response
Deputy Minister of Justice, Madam Saptieu Saccoh, delivered the keynote address, stressing that Kush abuse is deeply intertwined with poverty, unemployment, trauma, social exclusion, and limited access to mental health services.
“Kush has been linked to serious physical and mental harm, and in some cases, premature deaths. It continues to destroy the productive potentials of a generation that should be central to Sierra Leone’s development,” she said. Saccoh emphasized that the right to human dignity is undermined when users are subjected to abandonment, criminalization, or degrading treatment.
She commended HRCSL for documenting the human rights dimensions of the crisis and pledged the Ministry’s commitment to work with institutions to promote rights-based approaches and evidence-informed policy reforms.
Collective Action
Development partners and institutions present expressed readiness to collaborate with HRCSL on awareness-raising, community engagement, and coordinated action against Kush.
The launch underscored HRCSL’s determination to frame the Kush epidemic not only as a public health emergency but also as a human rights crisis, demanding urgent national and international attention.