The bodies of 32 unidentified people – 25 men and seven women – who had all died after taking the drug known as Kush were buried in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, on Thursday, Sinneh Kamara, who works with the ministry of health to conduct the funerals.
They are just the latest people to die as a result of the narcotic – a synthetic cannabinoid mixed with other dangerous chemicals – that has become popular in the country.
Mr Kamara estimates that his team picks up two to three corpses a day, but because many do not carry identification they often lay unclaimed in the morgue.
Many young people living in desperate circumstances have become addicted to Kush.
In 2022, medical staff in Freetown told the Africa Eye programme that 90% of the male admissions to the central psychiatric ward are due to use of the drug.
Mr Kamara said that the authorities must take strong action in dealing with anyone who imports Kush, but police are struggling to contain the problem.