By Tina Williams
Millions of opioid tablets manufactured by India pharmaceutical companies are contributing to a growing drug crisis across West Africa, with officials warning of links to the spread of the synthetic street drug known as “kush.”
Often packaged in blister packs of 10 and sold cheaply through roadside kiosks and informal pharmacies, the drugs—particularly tapentadol and tramadol—are widely accessible despite their addictive nature.
Health experts and law enforcement officials say the influx of these opioids has fueled dependency across the region, especially among young people, worsening an already fragile public health situation.
Researchers and officials told AFP that the substances are increasingly being mixed into kush, a highly potent and dangerous drug that has been described locally as a “zombie drug” due to its severe psychological and physical effects.
Authorities have raised concerns over weak regulatory controls, porous borders, and the role of international supply chains in enabling the flow of such pharmaceuticals into African markets.
Governments across the region are facing mounting pressure to tighten drug import regulations, strengthen enforcement, and expand rehabilitation services to address the growing crisis.
