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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 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. 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 Kenyan
traders have noted demand has not yet
returned to pre-ban levels.
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