Khat
Street terms for Khat: (pronounced Cot) Abyssinian tea, African
salad, oat, kat, chat, and catha.i
Also referred to as qat in Yemen, tschat in Ethiopia, and miraa
in Kenya ii
What does Khat look like?
iii
Khat is a flowering evergreen shrub native to East Africa and
the Arabian Peninsula.
Khat that is sold and abused is usually just the leaves, twigs,
and shoots of the Khat shrub.
How is Khat used?iv
Khat is typically chewed like tobacco.
The fresh leaves, twigs, and shoots of the Khat shrub are
chewed, and then retained in the cheek and chewed intermittently
to release the active drug.
Dried plant material can be made into tea or a chewable paste.
Khat can also be smoked and even sprinkled on food.
What are some consequences of Khat use?
v
Common side effects include anorexia, tahycardia, hypertension,
insomnia, and gastric disorders.
Chronic Khat abuse can result in symptoms such as physical
exhaustion, violence, and suicidal depression.
Widespread frequent use of Khat impacts productivity because it
tends to reduce worker motivation.
Khat can induce manic behaviors, hyperactivity, and
hallucinations.vi
There are reports of Khat-induced psychosis.vii
Who uses Khat?
viii
The use of Khat is an established cultural tradition for many
social situations in the areas of primary cultivation: East
Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Several million people may currently be using Khat worldwide.
The largest concentrations of users are in the regions
surrounding the Middle East.
How does Khat get to the United States?ix
Khat, while illegal in the United States, is legal in much of
Europe, East Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula.
Individuals of East African and Middle Eastern descent are mot
often responsible for the importation, distribution, possession,
and use of Khat in the United States.
Khat is usually shipped already packaged in bundles, and wrapped
in plastic bags or banana leaves to retain moisture and
freshness.
Khat is generally smuggled in passenger luggage, overnight
express mail, or shipped as air cargo and falsely labeled as
"vegetables."
How much does Khat cost?
Exactly prices are not known, but Khat is a relatively costly
drug.
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