Podcast

Kush – the deadly drug wreaking havoc in West Africa

Thursday 3 July 2025 16:48, UK

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The synthetic drug kush, first seen in Sierra Leone in 2022, has now spread into much of West Africa while also evolving into an even more dangerous drug. Tests have found it contains nitazenes, which are 25 times stronger than fentanyl.

Paste BN has found that ingredients used to make kush are being shipped into Sierra Leone from the UK.

In today's Paste BN Daily, Gareth Barlow is joined by our Africa correspondent, Yousra Elbagir, who has spoken to addicts and those trying to tackle the problem.

Producer: Emily Hulme

Editor: Wendy Parker

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