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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
What does Khat
look like?
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Khat is a
flowering evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian
Peninsula. |
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Khat that is
sold and abused is usually just the leaves, twigs, and shoots of
the Khat shrub. |
How is Khat used?
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Khat is
typically chewed like tobacco. |
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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. |
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Dried plant
material can be made into tea or a chewable paste.
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Khat can also
be smoked and even sprinkled on food. |
What are some
consequences of Khat use?
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Common side
effects include anorexia, tachycardia, hypertension, insomnia,
and gastric disorders. |
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Chronic Khat
abuse can result in symptoms such as physical exhaustion,
violence, and suicidal depression. |
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Widespread
frequent use of Khat impacts productivity because it tends to
reduce worker motivation. |
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Khat can
induce manic behaviors, hyperactivity, and hallucinations. |
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There are
reports of Khat-induced psychosis. |
Who uses Khat?
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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. |
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Several
million people may currently be using Khat worldwide.
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The largest
concentrations of users are in the regions surrounding the
Middle East. |
How does Khat get
to the United States?
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Khat, while
illegal in the United States, is legal in much of Europe, East
Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. |
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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. |
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Khat is
usually shipped already packaged in bundles, and wrapped in
plastic bags or banana leaves to retain moisture and freshness.
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Khat is
generally smuggled in passenger luggage, overnight express mail,
or shipped as air cargo and falsely labeled as "vegetables."
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How much does Khat
cost?
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Exactly
prices are not known, but Khat is a relatively costly drug. |
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