Kush: Opposition Politician Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray Attacks President Bio After Shocking Photos Surface

Opposition politician Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray has criticised President Julius Maada Bio following reports that four victims of the synthetic drug kush were seen in distress along the Waterloo–Masiaka Highway.

Mansaray shared the incident on his official Facebook page, posting photographs that show four visibly frail young men loitering on the busy highway. Two of the victims were captured lying helplessly on the ground, while the other two sat motionless, staring into the distance, as road users passed by.

Describing the scene as heartbreaking, Mansaray said Sierra Leoneans deserve better leadership, arguing that the condition of the young men reflects the broader neglect faced by many youths in the country.

“This is a sad and sorrowful situation,” he wrote, adding that while young people waste away under the grip of addiction, the nation’s leadership continues to enjoy what he described as a “lavish lifestyle at the expense of ordinary citizens.”

Kush, a highly addictive synthetic drug, has in recent years emerged as a major public health and social crisis in Sierra Leone. The substance, which is cheap and easily accessible, has devastated communities, particularly among young men, leading to severe health complications, mental breakdowns, homelessness and, in some cases, death.

In response to the growing crisis, the government has declared kush a national emergency, tightened border surveillance, and intensified police operations against dealers and distributors. Authorities have also announced plans to expand rehabilitation and treatment centres, while working with international partners, religious leaders and civil society organisations to curb drug abuse and reintegrate affected youths into society.

Despite these measures, critics argue that enforcement and rehabilitation efforts remain inadequate, as scenes like those on the Waterloo–Masiaka Highway continue to underline the urgent need for stronger intervention, sustained public awareness, and comprehensive support systems to rescue a generation increasingly threatened by kush.