Introduction

As authorities target kush crisis in Sierra Leone, a new substance known as ecstasy has surfaced, raising fresh concerns. Kush has triggered hundreds of deaths and psychiatrically damaged scores of users in Sierra Leone, prompting the country’s president, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, to declare a national emergency on substance abuse in April 2023. Following the declaration, officials set up a National Task Force on Drugs and Substance Abuse to tackle the devastating synthetic drug that is ravaging lives in the country.  

The New Drug: Ecstasy 

However, a new substance has emerged in the shadow of kush fight. Ecstasy is a stimulant drug that affects the brain’s chemistry by releasing high levels of serotonin, according to Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMP). While there have been no recent reports of deaths related to ecstasy in the country, a report by the U.S Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) highlights the negative effects of the synthetic drug. According to the report, ecstasy can cause severe dehydration, anxiety, blurred vision, teeth clenching, paranoia, increased motor activity, heart rate, blood pressure, and drug craving. The DEA report further says that high doses of ecstasy can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature, resulting in liver, kidney, or cardiovascular system failure, swelling of the brain, and even death. 

Public Life Threat 

In Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone, an anonymous source disclosed that the drug is mostly used by young people, especially women, to experience euphoria and enhance sexuality. “Ecstasy is primarily used by young people, particularly women. It makes them feel high and increases their sexual desires.,” the anonymous source said. Further investigation done by our reporter shows that the drug is mainly used by commercial sex workers and female students. “Ecstasy makes our work easier,” one prostitute said, asking to remain anonymous. Meanwhile, growing concerns about ecstasy have begun to take center stage of public discourse as female students are now at the acme of abusing the drug. 

How are the Drugs Smuggled into the Country? 

Ecstasy, like most synthetic drugs, is smuggled into Sierra Leone by people who run drug cartels and suspected government officials through the borders. To end the importation of excess and abuse of ecstasy, the Sierra Leone government should enforce the National Drug Law Act, 2008. The Act prohibits the manufacturing, cultivation, importation, and exportation of drugs. Again, the government should intensify and enhance thoroughly searching air and seaports in Sierra Leone to prevent the smuggling of drugs. Tracking ghettos, bars, university campuses, and clubs are other effective ways to mitigate the selling of ecstasy in Sierra Leone. Those who run drugs are suspected to be using the above-mentioned places to lure young people to abuse drugs.  

Conclusion 

While government and nongovernmental organizations try to stop the spread of drug abuse in Sierra Leone, parents, teachers, and lecturers should complement their efforts by embracing strict measures to prevent their children and students from abusing kush. Media and community engagements are effective steps to stop the sale of ecstasy in Sierra Leone. Media houses should create awareness of the ecstasy and explain the consequences of abusing it.  

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