3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
