Misper Apawu

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www.misperapawu.com

KUSH - The Synthetic Drug Ravages Youth In Sierra Leone

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School girls walk in Bombay com... services are severely limited.

School girls walk in Bombay community in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Saturday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu) Sierra Leone declared war on the cheap synthetic drug, calling it an epidemic and a national threat. The drug is ravaging youth and healthcare services are severely limited.

Mohammed Kamara, a Kush user, s... mechanical engineering dream.

Mohammed Kamara, a Kush user, shows a picture of himself before he got addicted to Kush and dropped out of school. “I want to go back to school”, says Mohammed, and pursue my mechanical engineering dream.

Mohammed Kamara, a Kush user, s...uture," says Mohammed.

Mohammed Kamara, a Kush user, sits in the living room of his family's home in Susan's Bay, one of the three largest slums in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Sunday, April 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu). "I'm a human being; I feel, I have feelings. Although my mom said that I don't have a conscience and I don't have feelings, sometimes, when sitting alone thinking how I was in the beginning, I feel like I am destroying myself and my future," says Mohammed.

Memunatu Kamara breaks down in ...to do", says Memunatu.

Memunatu Kamara breaks down in tears next to her son Mohammed, who smokes Kush in Susan's Bay, one of the three largest slums in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu) "I am ashamed; I feel pain, and I am discouraged about this Kush because the condition of my son is not good. I don't know what else to do", says Memunatu.

View of Moa Wharf, one of the s... services are severely limited.

View of Moa Wharf, one of the slums where Kush users live in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)Sierra Leone declared war on the cheap synthetic drug, calling it an epidemic and a national threat. The drug is ravaging youth and healthcare services are severely limited.

A man pours water on himself ou... services are severely limited.

A man pours water on himself outside in Moa Wharf, one of the slums where Kush users live in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)Sierra Leone declared war on the cheap synthetic drug, calling it an epidemic and a national threat. The drug is ravaging youth and healthcare services are severely limited.

A Kush user reacts after receiv... services are severely limited.

A Kush user reacts after receiving treatment at Sierra Leone's Youth Development and Child Link (SLYDCL), an NGO that provides medical care and psychological needs for drug users in Sierra Leone, Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu) Sierra Leone declared war on the cheap synthetic drug, calling it an epidemic and a national threat. The drug is ravaging youth and healthcare services are severely limited.

Kush users receive treatment at...ise in people addicted to kush.

Kush users receive treatment at a medical outreach facility of Sierra Leone's Youth Development and Child Link (SLYDCL), an NGO that provides medical care and psychological needs for drug users, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu) The drug leaves people lethargic, desperate and ill. While the government does not publish official figures on kush-related deaths or hospital admissions, Ansu Konneh, the director of mental health at the Ministry of Social Welfare, said there had been a sharp rise in people addicted to kush.

A Kush user shows his injury th...ise in people addicted to kush.

A Kush user shows his injury through a window at a medical outreach centre of Sierra Leone's Youth Development and Child Link (SLYDCL), an NGO that provides medical care and psychological needs for drug users, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu). The drug leaves people lethargic, desperate and ill. While the government does not publish official figures on kush-related deaths or hospital admissions, Ansu Konneh, the director of mental health at the Ministry of Social Welfare, said there had been a sharp rise in people addicted to kush.

A young boy shows his bloated s...ise in people addicted to kush.

A young boy shows his bloated stomach in the Bombay community, where they unconventionally rehabilitate Kush users in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Saturday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu) The drug leaves people lethargic, desperate and ill. While the government does not publish official figures on kush-related deaths or hospital admissions, Ansu Konneh, the director of mental health at the Ministry of Social Welfare, said there had been a sharp rise in people addicted to kush.

An employee at Sierra Leone You...services are severely limited.

An employee at Sierra Leone Youth Development and Child Link (SLYDCL) provides medical care for Kush users at Moa Wharf, a drug den in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu) Sierra Leone declared war on the cheap synthetic drug, calling it an epidemic and a national threat. The drug is ravaging youth and healthcare services are severely limited.

View of Freetown, Sierra Leone,... services are severely limited.

View of Freetown, Sierra Leone, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu) Sierra Leone declared war on the cheap synthetic drug, calling it an epidemic and a national threat. The drug is ravaging youth and healthcare services are severely limited.

A 'No more Kush&#39...p;nbsp;(AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)

A 'No more Kush' warning on a wall on Bombay Street in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Saturday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)

A Kush user shows his injury at...y have multiple organ failures.

A Kush user shows his injury at a medical outreach centre of Sierra Leone's Youth Development and Child Link (SLYDCL), an NGO that provides medical care and psychological needs for drug users, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu) The drug is having a physical effect on their health; they have swollen feet, they have multiple organ failures.

Memunatu Kamara, the mother of ... to do" says Memunatu.

Memunatu Kamara, the mother of Mohammed Kamara, a Kush user, breaks down in tears as she narrates the effect of Kush on his son in a market where she sells fish in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Thursday, April 25, 2024 (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu) "I am ashamed; I feel pain, and I am discouraged about this Kush because the condition of my son is not good. I don't know what else to do" says Memunatu.

Bia Mansary, 43, a Kush user, s... 2024 (AP Photo/Misper Apawu).

Bia Mansary, 43, a Kush user, sits at the entrance of a room which serve as an unconventional rehabilitation centre in the Bombay community, where he receives care and monitoring by some youths, in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Thursday, April 25, 2024 (AP Photo/Misper Apawu).

Habib Taigore Kamara, Executive...for drug users in Sierra Leone.

Habib Taigore Kamara, Executive Director of Sierra Leone's Youth Development and Child Link (SLYDCL), speaks with youth at Bombay Street in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Thursday, April 25, 2024. AP Photo/ Misper Apawu) Habib's organisation provides medical care and psychological support for drug users in Sierra Leone.

A group of youth meet in Bombay... services are severely limited.

A group of youth meet in Bombay Street in a compound where they rehabilitate Kush users in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Saturday, April 28, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu). Sierra Leone declared war on the cheap synthetic drug, calling it an epidemic and a national threat. The drug is ravaging youth and healthcare services are severely limited.

Ephraim Maculey (L), a former K... 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)

Ephraim Maculey (L), a former Kush user and now an anti-drug activist, talks with drug users at a drug den in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)

View of Moa Wharf, one of the s... 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)

View of Moa Wharf, one of the slums where Kush users live in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)

Two young men stand by a drove ... 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)

Two young men stand by a drove of pigs in Moa Wharf, one of the slums Kush users live in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)

Bia Mansaray, 43, a Kush user, ...r months and is receiving care.

Bia Mansaray, 43, a Kush user, walk down the street of Bombay, where he receives care through an unconventional rehabilitation in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Thursday, April 25, 2024 (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu). Bia started smoking Kush in 2018. As a result, he lost his driver’s job and the relationship between his wife and children. He has been in the rehabilitation centre for months and is receiving care.

A Kush user rests in a room whe...ts stop by rehabilitating them.

A Kush user rests in a room where they receive care in an unconventional rehabilitation centre in the Bombay community, in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Thursday, April 25, 2024 (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu). Some youth in the Bombay community are helping Kush addicts stop by rehabilitating them.

A Kush user rolls Kush at a hid... services are severely limited.

A Kush user rolls Kush at a hideout in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu) Sierra Leone declared war on the cheap synthetic drug, calling it an epidemic and a national threat. The drug is ravaging youth and healthcare services are severely limited.

A young man rolls Kush as other... services are severely limited.

A young man rolls Kush as other users sleep at a hideout in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu) Sierra Leone declared a war on the cheap synthetic drug, calling it an epidemic and a national threat. The drug is ravaging youth, and healthcare services are severely limited.

A young man smokes Kush at a hi... Kush epidemic among the youth.

A young man smokes Kush at a hideout in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Monday, April 29, 2024 (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu). The country is fighting the Kush epidemic among the youth.

Kush users are seen at a hideou... Kush epidemic among the youth.

Kush users are seen at a hideout in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Monday, April 29, 2024 (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu). The country is fighting the Kush epidemic among the youth.

Two men sit in a compound where...p;nbsp;(AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)

Two men sit in a compound where Kush users receive care and monitoring in an unconventional rehabilitation centre at Bombay community in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)

Young men work on a landfill in... services are severely limited.

Young men work on a landfill in the east end of Freetown, Sierra Leone, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu) Sierra Leone declared a war on the cheap synthetic drug, calling it an epidemic and a national threat. The drug is ravaging youth, and healthcare services are severely limited.

KUSH - The Synthetic Drug Ravages Youth In Sierra Leone

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Thumbnail of School girls walk in Bombay comm_e services are severely limited.

Thumbnail of Mohammed Kamara, a Kush user, sh_y mechanical engineering dream.

Thumbnail of Mohammed Kamara, a Kush user, si_future," says Mohammed.

Thumbnail of Memunatu Kamara breaks down in t_ to do", says Memunatu.

Thumbnail of View of Moa Wharf, one of the sl_e services are severely limited.

Thumbnail of A man pours water on himself out_e services are severely limited.

Thumbnail of A Kush user reacts after receivi_e services are severely limited.

Thumbnail of Kush users receive treatment at _rise in people addicted to kush.

Thumbnail of A Kush user shows his injury thr_rise in people addicted to kush.

Thumbnail of A young boy shows his bloated st_rise in people addicted to kush.

Thumbnail of An employee at Sierra Leone Yout_ services are severely limited.

Thumbnail of View of Freetown, Sierra Leone, _e services are severely limited.

Thumbnail of A 'No more Kush'_mp;nbsp;(AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)

Thumbnail of A Kush user shows his injury at _ey have multiple organ failures.

Thumbnail of Memunatu Kamara, the mother of M_e to do" says Memunatu.

Thumbnail of Bia Mansary, 43, a Kush user, si_, 2024 (AP Photo/Misper Apawu).

Thumbnail of Habib Taigore Kamara, Executive _ for drug users in Sierra Leone.

Thumbnail of A group of youth meet in Bombay _e services are severely limited.

Thumbnail of Ephraim Maculey (L), a former Ku_, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)

Thumbnail of View of Moa Wharf, one of the sl_, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)

Thumbnail of Two young men stand by a drove o_, 2024. (AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)

Thumbnail of Bia Mansaray, 43, a Kush user, w_or months and is receiving care.

Thumbnail of A Kush user rests in a room wher_cts stop by rehabilitating them.

Thumbnail of A Kush user rolls Kush at a hide_e services are severely limited.

Thumbnail of A young man rolls Kush as other _e services are severely limited.

Thumbnail of A young man smokes Kush at a hid_e Kush epidemic among the youth.

Thumbnail of Kush users are seen at a hideout_e Kush epidemic among the youth.

Thumbnail of Two men sit in a compound where _mp;nbsp;(AP Photo/ Misper Apawu)

Thumbnail of Young men work on a landfill in _e services are severely limited.

Public Project

KUSH - The Synthetic Drug Ravages Youth In Sierra Leone

Updated Jun 2024

Location Freetown, Sierra Leone

Topics Breaking News, Documentary, Drug Abuse, Drugs, Epidemics, Essays, Future Leaders, Health, Health/Healing, Journalism, Loss, Parenting & Family, Photography, Photojournalism, Poverty, Sorrow, Youth

Summary