 Street Names
- Quat,
- qat,
- qaadka,
- chat,
- Catha edulis
Methods of Use
- Khat has recently turned up in the UK, particularly among emigrants and refugees from countries such as an Somalia, Ethiopia and the Yemen.
- Khat is a green leafed shrub that is chewed. The people of Horn of Africa and teh Arabian Peninsula have used this shrub for many years in ceremonies, either social or religious. References to the use of khat can be traced back to the 13th century. Arab journals recorded that physicians used it to treat depression. Khat is commonly used in countries where alcohol is banned.
- Khat is imported to London and sold at greengrocers in areas such as East London. It sells for around £4 a bunch but only remains potent for a few days after it is picked. Khat is at its strongest when the fresh leaves are chewed but can also be made into a tea or chewable paste.
The effects
- Khat is a stimulant drug. The use of Khat can bring similar problems that have been seen in amphetamine users.
- Chewing it can make people feel more alert, talkative, it can also suppress the appetite.
- Users have reported an ensuing calming effect when used over a few hours.
- Regular use can lead to insomnia, anorexia and anxiety.
- In some cases it may make people feel more irritable and angry and possibly violent.
The Health Risks
- Regular use can result in psychological dependence, which can make users feel depressed and low unless they carry on using.
The Law
- The Khat plant is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but the active ingredients, cathinone and cathine, are Class C drugs. Cathininone may not be lawfully possessed or supplied except under a licence for research, though cathine may be prescribed. Countries such as America, Canada, Norway and Sweden control these substances.
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Khat