Conservatives will ban khat

[Fabregas]

http://hiiraan.com/news2/2008/Jun/conservatives_will_ban_khat.aspx

[Ms DD]

This is just about the good news I have heard from this party.

[N.O.R.F]

Conservatives will ban khat

 

Khat is a popular drug among Britain's Somali community but it is far from harmless and should be banned

 

 

 

Sayeeda Warsi guardian.co.uk,

Sunday June 15 2008

 

 

 

The debate about khat (also known as qat) is new to the majority of people in Britain. Khat is a drug which is chewed in leaf form and has its origins in East Africa and parts of the Arabian peninsula. It is said to enhance social interaction and act as a stimulant to improve performance. Traditionally, khat use was an activity for men over a certain age, especially at the end of celebrations such as weddings.

 

It is not, however, a benign drug. Like amphetamines, it causes dependency. It is addictive. It can trigger paranoia and hallucinations. It is carcinogenic.

 

This drug can be legally bought in Britain with no restriction on the age of the purchaser. About seven tonnes of it are estimated to pass through Heathrow airport alone each week and the leaves are then sold at around £4 for a 250g bunch in supermarkets in East London, Birmingham, Bristol and Sheffield.

 

A recent survey found that 76% of respondents use more khat in the UK than in Somalia; in Sheffield, 59% of young Somalis chew khat. Unemployment rates among the Somali community are far above the national average. Academic achievement rates are far below the national average. And khat is in part responsible.

 

Faisa Mohamed, from the Somali Well Women Project said, "Back home men were the breadwinners, but when they came to Britain without jobs and took up khat, it became an addiction. They chew it all night and during the day they can't do anything".

 

In February 2005 during the passage of the Drugs Act 2005, the government discussed making khat a controlled substance. They heard how it is banned in the USA, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Uganda, Ethiopia and Madagascar, to name but a few.

 

The government decided that its use was not prevalent enough among the wider community, and so it remained legal. It is almost inverse racism: they were almost frightened to act because it concerned minority communities, even though many people, especially the women, from within those communities were calling for action.

 

This is a drug that is beginning to tear apart the social fabric of certain communities and people from those mainly East African communities are calling for action.

 

On Thursday night I spoke to an audience from the Somali community in Brent. I listened to them share their stories of addiction and family breakdown. Abukar told how he spent four years addicted before ending up in hospital recovering from stab wounds. He said, "I see myself as a member of British society. I want to integrate. But then I see how this drug affects our children. I see our women suffering in silence. This is the biggest barrier to integration for us."

 

All communities need to be treated equally under the rule of law irrespective of their background and we must never fail to take action on issues like khat because the prevalence of the drug in the UK is relatively low or because it is restricted to some minority communities. When any section of society is under threat, affected or underachieving, we must all stand up. That is why a future Conservative government would legislate to make khat a classified drug.

 

Source: Guardian, June 15, 2008

 

Not a moment too soon. The Tories will win the next election. Lets hope Marc and his crew will be active and press for Qaad to be banned.

 

I remember there was no Qaad for a few weeks due to a strike or something in Kenya. All the faaraxs we hadn't seen for years were all of a sudden out and about in the day time, play football etc

[Paragon]

Mind you, if you are in London, make sure to sign the petition to ban it. Most probably you'll see the petitioners in Somali restaurants and cafe, while stuffing your face and with fara suuga leh, but sign it, it's alright .

[Thierry.]

Reviewing people on incapacity benefit and now a ban on Khat, I suspect conservatives have hired a couple of Somali moles (or they have been watching Marcs videos).

 

Good move they are going to get support by doing this.

[Fabregas]

War Northener, was gwanin, saxiib, in Sheffield? Seems like ciyaalki are chewing down, bruv:

 

quote:A recent survey found that 76% of respondents use more khat in the UK than in Somalia; in Sheffield, 59% of young Somalis chew khat!

 

 

Also, I don't think Khat is banned( as the quote below implies) in Ethiopia. Ethiopia wa hoyadi khatka!

 

 

quote:In February 2005 during the passage of the Drugs Act 2005, the government discussed making khat a controlled substance. They heard how it is banned in the USA, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Uganda, Ethiopia and Madagascar, to name but a few.

[nuune]

In Ireland, if they found you chewig or consuming Khat, you will spend 15 years in jail.

 

But then again, it is avialable and peple chew it!

 

 

Anigu waxaan oran lahaa, wixii cawska cunaya ha cunaanee iska daaya.

[chubacka]

^^^ but their families r suffering nunne, if it were young single men with no responsibilities it wouldn't be so bad but this khat is responsible for many family problems as married men with kids r addicited to it.

 

Lets hope Labour steal the tory idea so i dnt have to vote conservative.

[N.O.R.F]

Originally posted by Brofessor_Geeljire:

War Northener, was gwanin, saxiib, in Sheffield? Seems like ciyaalki are chewing down, bruv:

I know saxib. Kuwaasi waa muqayaliin. I so a few who did nothing but play footy now do nothing but chew.

 

Paragon,

 

I would sign but I'm not there

[N.O.R.F]

Just realised her 2nd name and her constituency (Sheffield). Some research is needed.

[NGONGE]

When the times comes, they'll get lobbied by those with some good money and this whole thing will be forgotten again.

[Jacaylbaro]

I think the Khad dealers should let those conservatives learn how to chew then they will make it LEGAL ,,,,,

[MAXIMUS POWERS]

Originally posted by NGONGE:

When the times comes, they'll get lobbied by those with some good money and this whole thing will be forgotten again.

NG,

 

Money? eh! Khat is the drug of the poor man, nor does it have any trade union that organises and mobilise those who producer or sell the drug. What interest group represents the Khat industry? Pathetic NG. Your slipping! better find a new hobby!

[NGONGE]

^^ That's what YOU think, mate.

[N.O.R.F]