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Khat

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Khat (Catha edulis, family Celastraceae, Ge'ez ጫት č̣āt; Arabic: قات), pronounced "cot" and also known as qat, gat, chat, and miraa), is a flowering plant native to tropical East Africa. Believed to have originated in Ethiopia, it is a shrub or small tree growing to 5–8 m tall, with evergreen leaves 5–10 cm long and 1–4 cm broad. The flowers are produced on short axillary cymes 4–8 cm long, each flower small, with five white petals. The fruit is an oblong three-valved capsule containing 1–3 seeds.
Khat contains the alkaloid cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant which causes excitement and euphoria. In 1980 the World Health Organization classified khat as a drug of abuse that can produce mild to moderate psychic dependence, and the plant has been targeted by anti-drug organizations like the DEA.[1]

Khat
Catha edulis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
Division:
Magnoliophyta
Class:
Magnoliopsida
Order:
Celastrales
Family:
Celastraceae
Genus:
Catha
Species:
C. edulis
Binomial name
Catha edulis
(Vahl) Forssk. ex Endl.

History

The origins of Khat are often argued. Many believe that they are Ethiopian in nature, from where it spread to the hillsides of East Africa and Yemen. Others believe that khat originated in Yemen before spreading to Ethiopia and nearby countries. Sir Richard Burton (First Footsteps in East Africa, 1856) explains that khat was introduced to the Yemen from Ethiopia in the 15th century. There is also evidence to suggest this may have occurred as early as the 13th century. Through botanical analysis, Revri (1983) supports Yemen origins of the plant. [2] From Ethiopia and Yemen the trees spread to Kenya, Somalia, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Arabia, the Congo, what are now Zimbabwe and Zambia, and South Africa.[3] The earliest use of khat medically is believed to be within the New Testament. [4] The ancient Egyptians considered the khat plant a "divine food" which was capable of releasing humanity's divinity. The Egyptians used the plant for more than its stimulating effects. They used it as a metamorphic process and transcended into "apotheosis." Thus, the human being was made god-like. [5]

Cultivation and uses

 
Bundles of Khat, captured by the DEA in July, 2006

Khat has been grown for use as a stimulant for centuries in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. There, chewing khat predates the use of coffee and is used in a similar social context. Its fresh leaves and tops are chewed or, less frequently, dried and consumed as tea, in order to achieve a state of euphoria and stimulation. Due to the availability of rapid, inexpensive air transportation, the drug has been reported in England, Rome, Amsterdam, Canada, Australia, New Zealand[6] and the United States. The public has become more aware of this exotic drug through media reports pertaining to the United Nations mission in Somalia, where khat use is widespread, and its role in the Persian Gulf. The khat plant is known by a variety of names, such as qat in Yemen, chat in Ethiopia, jaad in Somalia and miraa in Kenya and Tanzania.

Khat use has traditionally been confined to the regions where khat is grown, because only the fresh leaves have the desired stimulating effects. In recent years improved roads, off-road motor vehicles and air transport have increased the global distribution of this perishable commodity. Traditionally, khat has been used as a socializing drug, and this is still very much the case in Yemen where khat-chewing is a predominantly male habit. In other countries, khat is consumed largely by single individuals and at parties. It is mainly a recreational drug in the countries which grow khat, though it may also be used by farmers and laborers for reducing physical fatigue and by drivers and students for improving attention. This is similar to the use of the coca leaf in South America.

Khat is used for its mild euphoric and stimulating effects. It has anorectic effects. It is used by Christians and Muslims, though the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (along with its Eritrean counterpart) has forbidden Christians from using it due to its stimulating effects.

In Somalia, the Supreme Islamic Courts Council, which took control of much of the country in 2006, banned khat during Ramadan, sparking street protests in Kismayo. In November 2006, Kenya banned all flights to Somalia, citing security concerns, prompting protests by Kenyan khat growers. The Kenyan MP from Ntonyiri, Meru District stated that local land had been specialized in khat cultivation, that 20 tons worth US$800,000 were shipped to Somalia daily and that a flight ban could devastate the local economy.[7]. With the surprise victory of the Provisional Government backed by Ethiopian forces in the end of December 2006, khat has returned to the streets of Mogadishu, though Kenyian traders have noted demand has not yet returned to pre-ban levels[8].

Chemistry/pharmacology

The stimulant effect of the plant was originally attributed to "katin", cathine, a phenethylamine-type substance isolated from the plant [citation needed]. However, the attribution was disputed by reports showing the plant extracts from fresh leaves contained another substance more behaviorally active than cathine. In 1975, the related alkaloid cathinone was isolated, and its absolute configuration was established in 1978. Cathinone is not very stable and breaks down to produce cathine and norephedrine. These chemicals belong to the PPA (phenylpropanolamine) family, a subset of the phenethylamines related to amphetamines and the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine.[9]

Effects

Khat consumption induces mild euphoria and excitement. Individuals become very talkative under the influence of the drug and may appear to be unrealistic and emotionally unstable. Khat can induce manic behaviors and hyperactivity. Several cases of khat-induced psychosis have been reported in the literature. Khat is an effective anorectic and its use also results in constipation. Dilated pupils (mydriasis), which are prominent during khat consumption, reflect the sympathomimetic effects of the drug, which are also reflected in increased heart rate and blood pressure. A state of drowsy hallucinations (hypnagogic hallucinations) may result coming down from khat use as well. Withdrawal symptoms that may follow prolonged khat use include lethargy, mild depression, nightmares, and slight tremor. Long term use can precipitate the following effects: negative impact on liver function, permanent tooth darkening (of a greenish tinge), susceptibility to ulcers, and diminished sex drive. Khat is usually not an addictive drug, although there are some people who cannot stay without it for more than 4-5 days. They feel tired and have difficulty concentrating.[10]

User population

It is estimated that several million people are frequent users of khat. Many of the users originate from countries between Sudan and Madagascar and in the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula, especially Yemen. In Yemen, 60% of the males and 35% of the females were found to be khat users who had chewed daily for long periods of their life. The traditional form of khat chewing in Yemen involves only male users; khat chewing by females is less formal and less frequent. In Saudi Arabia, the cultivation and consumption of khat are forbidden, and the ban is strictly enforced. The ban on khat is further supported by the clergy on the grounds that the Qur'an forbids anything that is harmful to the body. This is in sharp contrast to the opinions of the clergy in Yemen. In Somalia, 61% of the population reported that they do use khat, 18% report habitual use, and 21% are occasional users.

UK

Khat is used by members of the Somali and Yemeni community (mainly men), which is concentrated in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester and Sheffield. It is currently legal in the UK although there are calls from some sections of the Somali community for it to be banned.

Israel

Khat is used by some people of Yemeni origins. It is currently legal and the Khat leaves are sold in open markets. However it should be noted that a pill known locally as "Hagigat", which contains high amounts of cathine extracted from the plant is illegal.

Control status

World

In 1965, the World Health Organization Expert Committee on Dependence-producing Drugs' Fourteenth Report noted, "The Committee was pleased to note the resolution of the Economic and Social Council with respect to khat, confirming the view that the abuse of this substance is a regional problem and may best be controlled at that level" [4]. For this reason, khat was not Scheduled under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. In 1980 the World Health Organization classified khat as a drug of abuse that can produce mild to moderate psychic dependence.

Australia

In Australia, the importation of khat is controlled under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations. Individual users may apply for several required licenses to import up to 5 kg per month for personal use (primarily immigrants from the Horn of Africa). In 2003, the total number of khat annual permits was 294 and the total number of individual khat permits was 202."

"There are two types of import permits. The single use Permit to Import can be used only once and you must request a new permit for each time you wish to import khat. Annual Permits are labeled as such and consist of two pages. Annual Permits allow you to import up to 5 kg once a month for up to twelve months."

Canada

In Canada, Khat is a controlled substance under Schedule IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). Every person who seeks or obtain Khat is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding eighteen months, where the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule IV or is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable for a first offence, to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both, and for a subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to both. [5] [6]

France

Khat is prohibited in France as a stimulant.[11]

Germany

In Germany, Cathine is a controlled substance, and ownership and sale of the plant is illegal. Similar levels of control exist throughout most other European countries.

Israel

It is currently legal and the Khat leaves are sold in open markets. A pill known locally as "Hagigat", which contains high amounts of cathinone extracted from the plant is illegal.

Somalia

On November 17, 2006 the usage and distribution of khat was made illegal according to Somalian Islamists in areas they control. [12] In Somalia, the Supreme Islamic Courts Council, which took control of much of the country in 2006, banned khat during Ramadan, sparking street protests in Kismayo. In November 2006, Kenya banned all flights to Somalia, citing security concerns, prompting protests by Kenyan khat growers. The Kenyan MP from Ntonyiri, Meru District stated that local land had been specialized in khat cultivation, that 20 tons worth US$800,000 were shipped to Somalia daily and that a flight ban could devastate the local economy.[13]. With the surprise victory of the Provisional Government backed by Ethiopian forces in the end of December 2006, khat has returned to the streets of Mogadishu, though Kenyian traders have noted demand has not yet returned to pre-ban levels[14].

Sweden

Khat is classified as a narcotic drug in Sweden and is illegal to use, sell and possess. According to the police, most users are Somali immigrants and most khat is smuggled in from the Netherlands and England. For more information, see the Swedish police website on khat (text in Swedish).

Switzerland

Khat is prohibited in Switzerland as a stimulant.[15]

UK

In the UK, Cathine and Cathinone are Class C drugs. The plant Catha edulis is uncontrolled.

US

In the United States, Cathine is in Schedule IV and cathinone is in Schedule I of the U.S. Controlled Substance Act. The 1993 DEA rule placing cathinone in Schedule I noted that it was effectively also banning khat:

Cathinone is the majorpsychoactive component of the plant Catha edulis (khat). The young leaves of khat are chewed for a stimulant effect. Enactment of this rule results in the placement of any material which contains cathinone into Schedule I.

In July, 2006, the DEA executed Operation Somalia Express, an 18-month investigation which resulted in the coordinated takedown of a 44-member international narcotics-trafficking organization responsible for smuggling more than 25 tons of khat (estimated by the DEA to be worth more than $10 million) from the Horn of Africa to the United States. The indictment represents the largest khat-trafficking prosecution in United States history.[16]

Trivia

  • The word "qat" is well known to Scrabble players as a way to use the Q when no U is available.
  • Smuggling of the plant known as Qhat (Khat) is the main reason British nationals require consular assistance in Canada. [7]

References

  • Template:IUCN2006
  • "Somali Islamists are gone -- so "khat" is back!", Reuters, January 2 2007
  • Dale Pendell, Pharmakodynamis: Stimulating Plants, Potions and Herbcraft: Excitantia and Empathogenica, San Francisco: Mercury House, 2002.

Notes

  1. ^ DEA. ""2006 in Pictures"".
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ "Khat Information"
  4. ^ [http://apt.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/full/9/6/456 "Adverse effects of Khat: A review" 01 December 2006
  5. ^ [2]
  6. ^ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10415187&ref=rss
  7. ^ "Kenya bans all flights to Somalia", BBC News, 13 November 2006
  8. ^ "Somali Islamists are gone -- so "khat" is back!", Reuters, 2 January 2007
  9. ^ Drugs.com (01.01.07). "Complete Khat Info". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Drugs.com (01.01.07). "Complete Khat Info". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ Drugs.com (01.01.07). "Complete Khat Info". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ [3]
  13. ^ "Kenya bans all flights to Somalia", BBC News, 13 November 2006
  14. ^ "Somali Islamists are gone -- so "khat" is back!", Reuters, 2 January 2007
  15. ^ Drugs.com (01.01.07). "Complete Khat Info". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ DEA. ""2006 in Pictures"".
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