Sierra Leone stands at a crossroads. The Kush epidemic—what many now call the “Kushdemic”—is not just a drug problem; it is a national emergency eroding the very soul of our nation. It has turned our neighborhoods into mourning grounds, stripped families of their children, and drained communities of their potential.
Every day, young men and women are dying in the streets, abandoned in roads, or buried anonymously because of a drug that thrives in silence. This silence—fueled by stigma, denial, and inaction—must end.
The statistics tell a grim story. From Freetown to Makeni, the signs are everywhere: swollen faces, trembling hands, vacant eyes. Hundreds have died from organ failure. Thousands more are enslaved by addiction. Rehabilitation centers are overwhelmed, yet resources remain painfully inadequate. Behind every number is a name—a son, a daughter, a friend lost to a preventable tragedy.
For too long, the national response has been reactive, piecemeal, and slow. The absence of a coordinated strategy, combined with weak enforcement and limited treatment options, has allowed Kush to infiltrate every corner of society. We cannot continue to bury our youth while pretending this crisis will resolve itself.
That is why Fritong Post is stepping forward—not just as a messenger, but as a mobilizer. Through our new Media Advocacy and Awareness Campaign, we pledge to shine light where others look away; to document the truth, amplify survivors’ voices, and demand accountability from those in power.
This is not merely journalism; it is a call to action. A call for parents to speak openly with their children, for communities to embrace—not shun—addicts, and for government leaders to fund rehabilitation, enforce drug laws, and invest in prevention.
The fight against Kush requires all of us. Together, we can transform despair into determination, and silence into strength. Because every life lost to Kush is one too many—and Sierra Leone cannot afford to lose its future.
