Kush, Cocaine, Tramadol, Alcohol etc, are all substances that have over time been consistently abused by young people in Sierra Leone. As time progresses more creative use of these drugs has been developed. For the users (mainly the youthful population), there seems to be a continuous thirst for a “High”.
The rise in the use of drugs and the increase in crime rates in most parts of the world especially in Africa has been closely tied to the increase in economic hardship. Let me explain, over time while there has not been a direct causal effect between addiction and poverty, many studies have shown that poverty, homelessness and neglect can in fact amplify many addictions. As things become economically difficult and opportunities are taken or robbed from people, they start to look for escapes; these escapes usually followed the dark path of drug abuse and crimes.
Recently, videos of drug abuse victims found their way to social media. Not too long ago, news outlets including TV stations ins Sierra Leone ran the story of the use of Pampers Water as a source of “High”. To quote an article from the Awoke newspaper in 2020
“Boiling Baby pampers and drinking the liquid is the latest innovation by Sierra Leonean youths, chasing the new way to get “High.”
Early this year, I was consulting for one of my clients in Sierra Leone when I encountered a similar scenario to those shared on social media. While I did not record a video, I engaged some of those present, about the use of these drugs in a bid to learn why they take it despite its effect on their health. One bold young man responded by saying
“Bra if d moni nor do for buy cookery, mek man buy tin wae d make man fil nice en nor memba eat for 2 days”
Translated- ” The money I have is often too small to buy food, but enough to buy a dose of kush needed to get me high enough for 2 days”. In essence, if you cannot afford to eat for the next two days, taking kush will be a logical approach
As you read this, you may think to yourself “Thank God for my life because I am not like them”, of course, you are NOT and for that reason, you should be thankful. But do you know that you are not invisible to substance abuse?
Coming from a country where mental well-being is in its infancy, people can suddenly reach their breaking points and the only escape may be equally as dangerous as any other substances taken by the people in these videos.
For us to collectively stop the “creative” and “innovative” search for “High”, we must provide a safe space for the discussion of mental health issues and STOP any form of stigmatization, as well as help, improve their economic well-being.
So next time you see someone, ask yourself, what is probably more impactful: video or a conversation?