In a compelling Twitter thread, renowned BBC Reporter, Umaru Fofana, sheds light on the concerning and blemished state of mental health in Sierra Leone, highlighting the alarming rise in the use of the synthetic drug known as Kush.

Fofana’s revelations have sparked widespread concern as the nation grapples with the devastating impact of drug addiction on its youth.

According to the document he came across, Kush has become the most widely used drug in the country, with its consumption witnessing an exponential surge. The consequences have been dire, with countless young lives lost to its intake on a daily basis.

Fofana points out that a staggering 92% of drug users are men, primarily aged between 20 and 34, many of whom are secondary school students residing in urban areas. The once healthy and strong young men are falling victim to this epidemic, leaving families and communities devastated.

The situation is particularly worrisome on university and college campuses, where drug use has notably increased, impacting even upper-middle-class professionals. This pervasive drug abuse threatens the well-being of Sierra Leone’s future generation.

Urging a collective response to address the mental health crisis, Fofana passionately calls for open discussions about depression and other mental health issues.

“Depression is real! Come forward and discuss it with someone you trust. In fact, mental health should be declared an emergency in Sierra Leone and dealt with more seriously to save our young generation – the majority of the population.”

He advocates for mental health to be declared an emergency in Sierra Leone, emphasizing the need for serious and immediate action to safeguard the majority of the population, the young generation, from further harm.

The call to action made by Umaru Fofana serves as a powerful wake-up call for the nation to unite in tackling this pressing issue, lest the devastating toll on mental health and the loss of promising lives continue to escalate.