The Khat Drug: Is This The New Designer Drug like Cocaine, Ecstasy or Crystal Meth?
Posted: Saturday, November 21, 2009
by Edward Rhymes
Khat also known as kat , qat , qaat , quat , gat ,
jaad , chat , chad , chaad and miraa , is a flowering plant native to tropical East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Khat contains the alkaloid called cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant which is said to cause excitement, loss of appetite and euphoria.
In 1980 the World Health Organization classified khat as a drug of abuse that can produce mild to moderate psychological dependence. The plant has been targeted by anti-drug organizations like the DEA. It is a controlled/illegal substance in many countries, but is legal for sale and production in many others.
What is the significance of this drug? A couple, in Thornlie, Australia, was recently charged with possessing the prohibited drug with the intent to sell or supply and attempting to possess the drug to sell or supply. While it's not illegal to grow the trees, it is illegal to possess the leaves for use as a drug.
Australian anti-drug authorities are concerned that the use of the drug, being promoted through communities and groups on social networking sites like Facebook, can rapidly spread among students --- the rise in the use of this drug may also be attributed to a new Khat derivative, also known as MM-Cat. According to Austrailian authorities, it's a deadly cocktail of drugs which, when expanded, becomes Mephedrone. The new hybrid version is being referred to as "a cross between cocaine and ecstasy."
The drug is officially banned in Norway, Finland, Denmark, Israel and Sweden.
But in Britain, which is the main exporter of the drug, it is still legal. The drug is priced at $6300 for 1000g and is available at 40 different international websites, most of which are based in the UK.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's website lists some of the consequences of khat use:
In 1980 the World Health Organization classified khat as a drug of abuse that can produce mild to moderate psychological dependence. The plant has been targeted by anti-drug organizations like the DEA. It is a controlled/illegal substance in many countries, but is legal for sale and production in many others.
What is the significance of this drug? A couple, in Thornlie, Australia, was recently charged with possessing the prohibited drug with the intent to sell or supply and attempting to possess the drug to sell or supply. While it's not illegal to grow the trees, it is illegal to possess the leaves for use as a drug.
Australian anti-drug authorities are concerned that the use of the drug, being promoted through communities and groups on social networking sites like Facebook, can rapidly spread among students --- the rise in the use of this drug may also be attributed to a new Khat derivative, also known as MM-Cat. According to Austrailian authorities, it's a deadly cocktail of drugs which, when expanded, becomes Mephedrone. The new hybrid version is being referred to as "a cross between cocaine and ecstasy."
The drug is officially banned in Norway, Finland, Denmark, Israel and Sweden.
But in Britain, which is the main exporter of the drug, it is still legal. The drug is priced at $6300 for 1000g and is available at 40 different international websites, most of which are based in the UK.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's website lists some of the consequences of khat use:
- Common side effects include anorexia, tachycardia, 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.
- Can induce manic behaviors, hyperactivity, and hallucinations.
- There are reports of Khat-induced psychosis
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Firstly, khat is not a narcotic. It is certainly not a designer drug. It is catha edulis, a bush that's in the same family as the common ornamental burning bush. Sure, the DEA classifies it as a narcotic, but you would have to be suspicious of their motives. They haven't gotten the meaning of narcotic right since they classified marijuana as a narcotic, which it isn't. That's a political classification, not a medical one. Khat is a stimulant, like coffee. If you wish to classify coffee as a narcotic, then by all means, do it with every herbal stimulant. Khat is very popular in north African countries, and widely sold by street vendors in open air markets the way coca leaves are sold in Bolivia.Secondly, this will be another sensationalist fad rather than a trend. Khat and similar herbal drugs are simply not tuned to the westerner's need for a quick high. Legislating every new plant that has the potential for altering consciousness is an unenlightened remedy. If you think countries like Norway and Iceland must qualify as enlightened, think again. My friend lived in Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland for some time, and said they have the most hypocritical expression of being among the world's heaviest alcohol drinkers, but will outlaw drugs like khat that their citizens don't even use. Tell me, Edward, when was the last time the kids you work with used khat? Did they freak out in class? The answer is very likely you have never seen it. If you are looking for murder, death and mayhem where these plants are used in their traditional setting, you just don't find it.My dim view of the DEA is that they are international bullies, and the source of a lot of third world grief. Processing drugs like cocaine and heroin has made a lot of cartel thugs rich, and we give U.S. drug agencies lots of money. Yes, drugs are big business, whether you are a drug lord or drug czar."Aid, travel with a bomb." - Breeze- GThanks for commenting G.I posed this as a query only. I hadn't come to any hard and fast conclusions. I would say, however, that it seemed somewhat asinine to me that the tree is perfectly legal to grow, but the leaves are deemed illegal in some sort of Bermuda Triangle-like legal definition.I recognize your passion G and I appreciate your insights.I have to coment on Mr lewis Statment defending KHAT ,as ex addict my self who nearly lost his life do to khat ,whow there you say khat is not harm full,what do you know about khat . khat is destrois family as indarect use of khat children are sufering.AND FOR YOU TO SAY KHAT IS LIKE COFE . then it is clear to me you are either have personal interest to defend khat,or you like those from east africa go down in hell with this drug.Your comment sounds fictitious. You're an ex-khat addict who nearly lost your life to the drug? Heroin, maybe, but not khat.I have to agree with abukar from London. Either Mr Lewis you do have something to gain, or you are a user yourself or just down right stupid! As their thousands who have died, families destroyed,or currently in rehab all because of the drug khat - just visit South Africa and you will see the destruction khat is bringing this nation because of idiots like you!!Manuela, your words remind me of the right wing Washington Times journalist John Lofton. Lots of name calling and Conservative party propaganda, but no new useful information.
Narcotic or not, it sounds like another "goose chase" to me. I don't understand why marijuana is illegal but liquor is readily available.Still, your writings always teach me something, brother, and I am grateful!Thanks for commenting Bro.This was strictly for information purposes only. It was something that the Australian authorities seemed to think had some news value.Additionally, I have said the same thing about marijuana and alcohol (even though I'm not a consumer of either).I'm glad that you found this article informative Ken. Thanks again for reading and commenting.
It will be interesting to see if this drug winds up on American streets. I guess we have to wait for the cartels to see if they'll stock it. Nicely done.I've known about khat since the 1970s. I've even grown it from seed. Why should it all of a sudden appear on the American streets? It's been used for a few thousand years already, much like coffee and tea is used in American society. Tobacco is far worse than khat. Tobacco has a dangerous street drug in it called nicotine. Cartels stocking khat? Silly scare propaganda. It's kind of sad that an unknown drug should be sensationalized, so as to make it a better known drug. Boo!You make excellent points in each of your comments Greg. I too was wondering why would the public need to be alerted and protected about something they knew nothing about? We surely do now!Hey, all I know is I always liked dogs, but after readin' this I'm now seriously thinkin' bout gettin' me some "kat."Greg, what I really think the Australian authorities were more concerned with, and I briefly touched on this in the piece, is the derivative drugs that are being made from khat --- sort of like poppy plant = opium = heroin.Now this indeed may be a phantom argument or propaganda, but I still believe it was worth noting.Edward, I agree that once the derivative is made, it is the end of an otherwise useful plant. I have long been a believer in Chinese medicinal herbs. If you remember some years ago ephedrine was banned because some pro athletes abused it and died. The result was that a very useful herb that I used to buy at the health food store by the pound, ma huang, became illegal. Although only very few people out of all were harmed by this stimulating herbal tea (also called Mormon tea, as it grows wild in Nevada and Utah and was used as a tea there), Congress in its infinite paranoia and need to prove what responsible conservatives they are threw the baby out with the bathwater, banning the import of ma huang (ephedra sinensis).There are definitely some drugs of concern. For example, everyone knows that cocaine is derived from the much more benign coca leaf. Personally, I think we should be allowed to grow coca in our backyards if we choose, and every other non-invasive plant. Opium use devastated China at one time, but khat is not a narcotic like opium. It's comparable to espresso.Maybe the "cartels" will be able to figure out how to distill espresso into a powder, and Congress may finally outlaw coffee, and chocolate will follow that.There are quite a few other plants that have psychopharmaceutical potential, but if I name them here the reactionaries among us will cry out in moral indignation.I just want to finish by agreeing with your point about the danger of the derived chemical, just like caffeine in its pure form is a very noxious chemical in its own right.
Outlawing the plant has never, ever, ever solved a drug crisis, but only adds to bureaucracy, incarcerations, taxations, hospitalizations, police presence in your community, more police toys that cost more money at the expense of good books and educational materials, phony propaganda, drug testing kits for parents to further distance themselves from their children, bad education and every other annoyance of an increasingly litigious society.
enjoy your day,- G"Outlawing the plant has never, ever, ever solved a drug crisis, but only adds to bureaucracy, incarcerations, taxations, hospitalizations, police presence in your community, more police toys that cost more money at the expense of good books and educational materials, phony propaganda, drug testing kits for parents to further distance themselves from their children, bad education and every other annoyance of an increasingly litigious society."Agreed.Thanks for commenting again G. You have added much needed value and perspective to this discussion.Your are a very smart and reasonable man Greg.It's too bad not more sensible voices like yours are heard in Congress. Then again, would they be listening?
"I'm sick to death of hearing things by neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed politicians. All I want is the truth, just give me some truth....I'm sick and tired of hearing things by up-tight, short-sighted, narrow-minded, hipocritics. All I want is some truth, just give me some truth." Lennon
There is no question this country is run by neurotics and geeks.KennyThanks for reading and commenting Michael.They seem to think it depends on how much of the khat plant is actually converted into the MM-Cat derivative --- for the time being, that seems to be the greatest concern that the Australian authorities have.Thanks for stopping by Michael.
hi edward,this is scary. my kids ar 18, 22, and 24, and the fear of the use of drugs has been with me for quite some time.i believe we need better services in our schools to teach our kids why to stay away from all drugs and alcohol. not teachers or "professionals", who've never experienced a high, but normal people maybe from a 12 step program, helping them by sharing their own true stories to these kids. young adults they can relate to. i've been trying for years to get the high school to see this, but they turn a blind eye.it's not the drug, it's the reason WHY the kids want to do them. 12 step programs deal with this. i think they should be in every school.worked for me-almost 16 years sober. it wasn't books i read or documentaries or family and friends, but the 12 steps, shared by people like myself, that has kept me sober through the loss of my father, my son going into the air force, my daughter going into the army, and a bitter divorce, so, there's got to be something to it.thanks for sharing,my best regards,sueThanks for stopping by Sue.I don't know if this merits our full-blown concern at this time. It was something that I ran across and decided to pose it as a question --- a question I haven't answered as yet myself.In regard to the principles contained in 12 step programs, I think they could be beneficial in a school setting IF adapted and made age-appropriate.Thanks again for reading and commenting Sue (and sharing a part of your personal story and journey), I appreciate it.
appetitie supressing would be great, but i still think exdosy got to be the best! No reason to try anything else, LMAO
When Used in Moderation it is a MIld stimulant.I have done this drug a couple times and found it to be HARMLESS.
I did however have a tea with a small amount in the tea.IT was very mild and I slept just fine.
IF the Khat is Extracted using a solvent extraction process that is when the potency and composition changes.Then it is as dangerous as STREET CRANK
The US Government spends way too much money going after substances instead of diversion.
Herbs in the natural state are not dangerous unless you are DEAD SET on concentrating and overdosing like a damn fool.
That is why the Plant is legal and Having LEAVES and Flowers to Process and make tea is illegal.
It is complicated.
Really Stupid actually.
THe US Goverment is a HUGE HERB NANNY.
Cannabis ,Khat,Coca, Salvia,Pscilocybin,Bella Donna and Peyote
Then it is no different than a fool who DRINKS way too much and Gets Deathly sick and dehydrated.
I learned a valuable lesson in The Army in Europe when I did stimulants and DRANK WAY TOO MUCH.I hope some youngsters don't have to learn a hard lesson.It doesn't always work out.
Death by Stupidity is EASY ON BOOZE and Stimulants..
DogEatDogma.blogspot.com
This thing is a drug don't get it confused. It can cause all the symptoms described in a very short time. But i think those who have mastered its use should be respected and allow them to carry on their tradition. If we see them use it responsibly then maybe the rest of the world can learn from them and use less artificial substances like coke. These substances obviously have a positive aspect along with the negative otherwise people wouldn't be doing them.
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