Liberian women battle 'zombie' kush addiction as new rehab offers hope
A deadly synthetic drug known as kush is ravaging women in Liberia, while a women-run clinic near Monrovia provides a nine-month recovery program.
Kush, a synthetic opioid-laden substance also called the zombie drug, has spread across West Africa and is especially harmful to Liberian women, who suffer intense withdrawal, paranoia and vulnerability to abuse. The Liberian president labeled the situation a drug epidemic in 2024, highlighting that key chemical ingredients are shipped from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Local authorities have publicly burned seized batches to deter traffickers, but treatment options remain scarce and costly.
Gertrude Harris and other activists founded the Women Rescue Daughters clinic just outside Monrovia, where women who choose to quit receive medical detox, counseling and vocational training for up to nine months. Success stories, such as a 27-year-old mother who gave birth while in care and now supports her child, illustrate the clinic's impact on restoring dignity and stability.
Why it matters
The story shows how a synthetic drug crisis is endangering vulnerable women and how community-led rehab can save lives.
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