‘Monkey Tail’, ‘Kush’ and ‘Khadafi’ Drugs Threaten Africa’s Health, says UN Agency

The United Nations has raised concerns about new, harmful drug concoctions called Monkey Tail, Kush, and Khadafi, which they said are posing significant health risks across Africa due to their varying and often unknown ingredients.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlighted these risks in its annual World Drug Report released on Wednesday.

In Nigeria, Monkey Tail, a blend of homemade gin and cannabis seeds, leaves, stems, and roots is widely used, according to the UNODC.

Also, Kush, a synthetic mixture of marijuana, fentanyl, and tramadol, has led Sierra Leone to declare a national emergency in April due to its rising use. In Ivory Coast, the high use of Khadafi, a mixture of tramadol and alcoholic beverages, prompted a ban on the import and export of such drinks last year.

The UNODC said that countries must improve their scientific testing capacities to help law enforcement and health agencies address the threat of these emerging drugs.

While cannabis maintains its position as the most trafficked and used drug in Africa, UNODC noted an increase in the trafficking of other substances, such as cocaine from Latin America and heroin and methamphetamine from Southeast Asia, en route to Europe and other destinations.

The local drug markets in Africa are rapidly diversifying, shifting from a predominance of domestically sourced cannabis to a multitude of transiting drugs. This diversification is exacerbating existing health challenges, particularly as the availability of drug treatment services is limited in West Africa. – UNODC

The report also said that over 90% of global tramadol seizures took place in Africa over the last five years.

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