BN Posted March 29, 2004 Salaam, The amount spent on Qat is shocking and very disturbing. When a single market, in a single city, in a single day turns-over $50,000*--there is a serious problem. Now, multiply that by the 365 days per year and by the number of towns/cities in Somalia. That is, of course, assuming there is only one market in each city/town(highly unlikely). Imagine what this desperately needed money can go towards: hopitals, schools, food, development, entrepreneurship(new businesses), infrustructure, etc. This menace should be banned in Somalia; simultaneously another forms of employment must be found for the sellers, and a program should be developed for addicts. Does this seem like a realistic option? Can it be enforced upon a population accustomed to this habit? Will it just go underground and into the lucrative black market? I think we need to focus on changing the mentalities of Somalis and convincing them that it is haram, and the negatives far outweight the positive effects of Qaat. Somalis dont drink because it is banned in Somalia; rather they dont drink because they believe it to be haram and contrary to their faith. Wasalaamu Alaykum Note: This is a figure from the article rokko posted in the politics section. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingA Posted March 30, 2004 we all know its a problem and the amount of money being spent on it is a joke but thats the world we live in.. 1. You cant fully ban qaad bro, it just wont happen overnight.. 2. Let the government take control of what comes in. 3. Promote other activities for the ppl, employment or not.. i hear dat the internet and chating is doing well in hargeisa, more and more ppl chatting instead of chewing.. the country needs to be stable first and then plan something.. peez.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BN Posted April 4, 2004 Winger, 1.You cant fully ban qaad bro, it just wont happen overnight. Why not? What is surpising is that no attempts are being made to even minimize consumption or availability of this drug. Why is it that men such as Mohamed Dheere are able to ban the wearing of hijabs in Lower Shebelle, while we can not ban something as harmful as qat? 2. Let the government take control of what comes in. Yes, this should already be the case. Sadly it is not. The road networks and air/seaports are loosely patroled(if at all). But what is the point of these 'regional governments'(PL/SL) or 'national goverment'(TNG), if not to improve the living conditions of Somalis and society as a whole? 3. Promote other activities for the ppl, employment or not.. Yes, I have heard that there is little to do for men(young or otherwise) during the afternoons/evenings periods. With school over and no employment, they pass the time with this drug. In North America they have setup "After-school programs" for 'At-Risk-Youth',--which mainly involves organized activities(example basketball) to keep the kids away from gangs, drugs, etc. I think a similar pilot program should be tried in Somalia; see the rusult(s); and if successful, implement it nation-wide. It is worth a try and it can not do any harm. Wasalaamu Calaikum Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miskin Posted April 9, 2004 Brother, you have raised a valid point there. the problems of Qat are there for every one to see, but we as a nation don't see it a major problem. therefore,to do some thing about it we must first see it as a problem that needs solving. we can then think about different ways of tackling the problem. Regards Miskin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
