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AKA: Chat, Qat, Miraa, and numerous other names. Khat is one of
the many names for the plant Catha Edulis. The plant Khat contains the psychoactive
compounds cathinone and cathine, amongst others.
Drug Category: Cathinone and Cathine are stimulants with a significant
euphoric action. These active components are phenylalkylamines and are structurally
similar to amphetamines.
SOURCE: The plant is grown extensively in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially
Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and The Yemen. In addition to use in-country
it has been exported to other countries, either for use there by immigrant
communities re-exportation.
Prior to legal changes in June 2014, Khat was exported to the UK where it
was used in-country and exported to countries where it was illegal.
Before the prohibition of Khat it had been openly sold in the UK, from street
markets, taxi offices, local shops, and also from Mafrishes. The mafrish
is a place where Khat is communally chewed. They can be found in London
and other UK cities.
APPEARANCE: Bundles of twigs, with leaves attached. The twigs are
often wrapped in palm leaves to maintain freshness. Leaves are also sold
by the bag, stripped from the plant.
Dried leaves are also used, though held to be less potent.
COST: Prior to prohibition, £3-5 per bunch
DOSE RANGE: a moderate user may get through a bunch of khat over
the course of a day, or in a chewing session. Heavier users may get through
several bunches a day.
QUALITY: Variable: Khat varies in strength, and its strength also
deteriorates after the plant is picked. Some users will argue that the quality
of khat varies with country of origin, and the grade of the product harvested.
METHODS OF USE: Khat is usually chewed. The leaves and soft pulp
are placed in the mouth and masticated for a long period of time. Khat chewing
is frequently treated as a social activity, taking place in small groups
and lasting for several hours at a time.
Dried leaves are also used. They are rehydrated and made in to tea or chewed.
Some users also chop leaves finely for use in (for example) salads.
MECHANISM of ACTION: The active compounds are believed to elevate
levels of dopamine and nor-adrenaline. The dopaminergic activity causes
significant feelings of euphoria, reward and arousal. The nor-adrenal activity
causes restlessness, excitement, anxiety and increased energy.
EFFECTS: Cathinone and cathine are stimulants. The effects are similar
to amphetamine, but milder. They increase energy, reduce appetite, and cause
users to become talkative and animated. As with amphetamine, some people
will experience anxiety and possible irritability during use. Post-use,
there is likely to be a come-down which could include fatigue, low mood
and craving.
Some users claim that they can enhance sexual arousal and performannce.
HEALTH IMPLICATIONS: Excessive use can cause a range of symptoms
including irritability, paranoia, insomnia and weight loss. Unless discontinued,
it can, in extreme case, lead to psychosis.
As a stimulant, khat increases heart rate and blood pressure.
Frequent chewing can cause tooth and gum damage, and jaw problems. Chewing
in unhygienic settings can lead to health problems.
Heavy use can lead to a significant come-down, craving and dependency.
INDICATORS of USE: Khat is probably one of the easiest drugs to identify
during use. The presence of herbal material, specifically leaves, stalks
or bunches of khat is distinctive. Some users may chew and spit, leaving
green residue with leaf material. There may be green staining to teeth.
If no plant material is present, nor staining of teeth, then khat use is
hard to differentiate from another stimulant. The presenting symptoms could
include elevated blood pressure, elevated heart rate, perspiration, faster
breathing, agitation and restlessness. However this could be caused by other
stimulants, not just khat.
LEGAL STATUS: Cathinone and Cathine are controlled drugs (added in
1986). Khat is a Class C, schedule 1 compound. It was added to the Misuse
of Drugs Act in June 2014. Prior to 2014 possession of Khat plant was legal.
The Government and ACPO agreed that khat possession would be policed in
a similar way to cannabis, with simple possession being handled with three
tiers of response: a first offence resulting in confiscation and a "khat
warning." A second offence can result in a PND and third offence arrest
and criminal proceedings.
The supply of khat, importation and allowing premises to be used for khat
supply are treated as more serious offences and not the subject of this
warning system.
TRENDS: The ACMD says "Most of the prevalence data comes from
the Somali community. Figures range from 34% to 67% of the Somali community
who identify themselves as current users of khat. The figure of 34% is from
the highest power study and likely to be the most accurate figure."
This figure is similar to reported levels in Somalia (in anything the Somali
figures were slightly lower).
There is no evidence about if trends had been rising or falling prior to
prohibition.
OTHER INFORMATION: Khat use is common in certain cultural settings,
and has been practised for many centuries in certain areas of East Africa
and the Arab Peninsula. Use in-country is the source of much controversy
and debate.
For some, khat has been considered a mild stimulant and export crop. It
has been likened to strong coffee, and tolerated as a traditional and cultural
activity.
Others viewed it as resulting in physical and mental health problems, an
expensive vice, and something to be discouraged.
Khat use has been a significant issue during armed conflict, increasing
anxiety and energy amongst soldiers and used to embolden and desensitise
child soldiers.
Khat use in the UK has been the subject of ACMD scrutiny who explored whether
or not it should be made a controlled drug. This was in light of escalating
and problematic UK use, especially amongst young Somali men. Whereas use
of Khat had traditionally taken place in social settings and was often generally
not sustained for long periods, young Somali khat users were reported to
be chewing daily, for extended periods of time. Such heavy use brought with
it higher levels of physical and psychological risk.
However the ACMD had, to date, declined to advocate adding Khat to the list
of controlled drugs, fearing that to do so would drive the drug, and problems
related to use, deeper underground.
Khat use has not been taken up beyond its cultural users, and is not popular
with other stimulant users.
However, despite ACMD recommendations, the Government decided to add khat
to the list of controlled drugs, citing health fears, community integration,
fears of the UK becoming an export hub for khat, and claiming links between
khat trade and religious fundamentalist groups.
Khat and cathinone should not be confused with 4-methylmethcathinon (4-mmc).
4-mmc is a 'substituted cathinone,' sharing the same core structure as cathinone.
Although in the same chemical family as cathinone it was not made directly
from cathinone or extracts from the khat plant, but instead in a synthesis
from other compounds, including ephedrine.
Drug Facts: