Hommam Al Nassim 
The United Nations warned on Wednesday of the spread of three new types of drugs in Africa, under the names “Kush,” “Gaddafi,” and “monkey dust,” noting that they pose a health risk due to their unknown and diverse ingredients.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime explained in an annual report that these drugs contain a dangerous mixture of pharmaceuticals, alcohol, and solvents.
Recent reports recorded increasing problems related to the use of these drugs, as Sierra Leone declared a national emergency due to “Kush,” which combines marijuana, fentanyl, and tramadol.
In response to the increasing use of Gaddafi’s drug, which consists of tramadol and stimulant alcoholic beverages, Côte d’Ivoire banned the import and export of these drinks last year.
The drug “monkey dust” is popular in Nigeria, as it consists of the local gin drink and various parts of the cannabis plant.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime urged countries to strengthen their capabilities in conducting laboratory tests to combat the spread of these new drugs, while emphasizing the increase in smuggling of other drugs such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine through Africa to Europe.
The report confirmed that this diversity in drug markets increases the health challenges related to drug abuse in the continent of Africa, especially in light of the lack of addiction treatment services in the west.
The office explained that more than 90% of tramadol seizures worldwide during the past five years occurred in Africa.
A Greek court drops charges against 9 Egyptians in the case of a migrant boat sinking