Dawda Baldeh

Story: This story is about kush, a substance that mimics cannabis and is typically smoked like a cigarette, but its consequences have proven far deadlier. In early 2024, The Gambia was gripped by a growing crisis—a wave of illness and death linked to a mysterious substance known as kush. The drug was first reported in neighboring Sierra Leone, where its rapid spread left a trail of destruction. Soon after, kush found its way into The Gambia, marking a dark turn in the region’s public health and law enforcement landscape. By February 2024, the Epidemiology and Disease Control (EDC) Program had raised alarms over an unusual spike in deaths and critical health incidents. Initial investigations pointed to a synthetic drug circulating under the name "kush" a substance far more dangerous than its street reputation suggested. This story explores first-hand testimonies of survivors, witness accounts, efforts by law enforcement to curb the spread, and the rising advocacy against the drug’s grip on communities. It also look into the human cost behind the statistics and the growing movement fighting back.

Published in: October 16, 2025