Cabdow Posted June 19, 2010 The growing use of the stimulant Khat is causing widespread social problems among Britain's East African community, according to a Sky News investigation. Ten years ago an average of 10 tonnes of Khat were imported into the UK every year. That figure has now risen to 10,000 tonnes per year. The Khat plant is grown in Yemen, Somalia and Ethiopia. Users chew the leaves then swallow the juice, which contains an ingredient similar to amphetamine. Although banned in North America and most of Europe, Khat is legal in Britain and sold openly in corner shops. After a few hours users become talkative and experience feelings of alertness, euphoria and excitement. But symptoms can include depression, lack of concentration and psychosis. Abukar Awale, a Somalian living in North London, claims he was addicted to Khat for seven years. He lost his confidence and self-esteem and became depressed and paranoid. He told Sky News: "This drug is destroying the Somali community in Britain and should be made illegal." The government banned 'Meow Meow' within weeks. That was clear discrimination because it was white people taking it. "Last year there were 16 Khat-related deaths but you don't see that on the six o'clock news." The legality of Khat in Britain means London has become a hub for smugglers. Read more! Skynews investigation (Video) -------------------------------- I think bahalkan sharrtiisa waa badatay, rag badan iyo (some) dumarna wey abuse gareeyeen, marka in laga mamnuuco wadamadan uu legel-ka kayahay haatan waxay ku dhaanto majirto (for the long as well as the short term betterment/success of our people throughout Europe or anywhere else for that matter) Therefore, i CANJEEX support the banning of this DAMN thing! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hales Posted June 19, 2010 True Qat does make you lazy if you chew excessively , but it also makes you very alert and wide-awake, contrary to popular believe the notion thats circulated that men cant do work because of it is untrue, yes its harmful and has harmfull side effects to your social life, but that doesnt make it worthy of banning while more harmful things are kept legal. How is it anyworse than the booze the Europeans daily indulge in? Wouldnt it be hypocritical to ban Qat and not the excessive alchohol which is abused far worse. If its not Qat its coffee shop and makhayaado-politics, the US somali community is a good example and a bad role model, this problem should be solved by the Somali community considering that its stigmatized by families in general; where i live in the Uk its rarely used anyways while legal. But on the positive note to banning Khat the somali community would have less bariers into intregrating into the UK if this wretched thing was banned, there are no coffee shops here and taxi driving isnt at all that popular profession . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geel_jire Posted June 19, 2010 lack of concentration ??? what kind of Qat are they chewing, I used become so concentrated on and obsessively focused on what im studying/working on to the exclusion of almost everything else. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N.O.R.F Posted June 20, 2010 Ha la ban gareeyo. It won't happen until a concerted effort by Somalis hiring the right people to campaign on their behalf. Until then, bahalku wuu soo dhici uun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
