Presentation on Khat

BY Farah Said Omar

Presentation on Khat

Introduction: Definition of Khat Khat is a leafy green plant whose

leaves are chewed for its stimulant and euphoric qualities

Cat, Miraa, Qat, Khat, Chat are some of the street names

Khat contains the same chemical structure to that of amphetamine.

Amphetamines are stimulant drugs, which means they speed up the messages travelling between the brain and the body

The use of khat is common among Kenyans, Ethiopians, Somalis, Yemenis and some other African and Asian countries

How to chew khat Usually Khat chewing takes place in

groups A session may last for several hours Normally khat is chewed with non-

alcoholic fluids such as cola, tea and cold water

In a khat chewing session, initially there is an atmosphere of cheerfulness, optimism and a general sense of well-being

People feel more vigilant, happy and eager to talk more

Some people become very active that they could clean the whole house, wash the clother and do all homework

While some other become silent but their brain working very fast by thinking of many plans to do in the future

Some people could read a lot like several hundred pages of book

How do people feel when they chew khat?

After a bout 2 hours, tension, emotional , instability and irritability began to appear.

Leter leading to feeling of low mood and sluggishness

Cheweres tend to leave the session feeling depleted

Effects of khat It suppresses the appetite May cause disrupted

sleep and make pre-existing mental health problems worse

It may cause disrupted sleep  With heavy use of khat one can get

high blood pressure, heart palpitations and heart problems

Khat can inflame the mouth and damage the teeth

Family breakups, school dropout rates, insecurity and hostility leading to fights among the residents

Khat and the law It is illegal to use, sell and buy khat

in Norway In England and Holland it has legal

for two years ago but not now On 24 June 2014 khat becomes a

Class C drug which means it is illegal to have or to supply khat.

Dealing or supplaying could get you 14 years in jail.

Same in Europe and America

Khat production and economy

Kenya and Ethiopia are the leading African countries when it comes khat production

khat is high as an export and cash crop In Kenya, in some years ago, khat has reached

the fifth ranking export commodity in the national economy

Income from khat (Chat) in Eastern Ethiopia (Harar, Dire-Dawa, Jijiga), is reportedly very lucrative

The Ethiopian farmers' income from khat is now more than ten times that from coffee

In Kenya Khat was estimated to be worth $100 million to the Kenyan economy before the UK ban

Effects of khat ban in Uk

Due to the financial difficulties they have been experiencing barely a year since the UK banned miraa (khat) exports to her country some of Igembe residents commited suicide

Major economic impact in northern Kenya where khat is a lucrative cash crop

Huge unemployement to many kenyan youth

Sources

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2015/472302/ (14.05.16) http://eurad.net/en/news/khat/Khat+-+

a+cause+for+concern.9UFRnGWw.ips https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khat(14.05.16) http://

news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_2120000/newsid_2120400/2120454.stm