Nearly all Sierra Leoneans are aware of kush, and most consider its abuse a major problem, according to the latest Afrobarometer survey.
The survey shows that more than 90% of citizens have heard of the drug. Among them, six in 10 say they know a neighbour who has used kush, while nearly half know a friend or family member who has consumed it. Young people are more likely than older citizens to report knowing users.
Large majorities of respondents believe stricter penalties (70%) and tighter border controls (69%) are the most effective ways to tackle the crisis.
The survey comes after President Julius Maada Bio declared a national emergency on substance abuse on 6 June 2024, following a rise in kush-related deaths. The government plans to establish a national task force on substance abuse, combining support and treatment for addicts with stronger law enforcement to target drug traffickers.
The Afrobarometer survey, conducted by the Institute for Governance Reform, interviewed 1,200 adult Sierra Leoneans in March-April 2025. It provides a reliable snapshot of public opinion with a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.
