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Calls made for khat to be reclassified
THE chairman of the Hayes Town Partnership has called for an urgent review of khat- an east African drug which is still legal in this country.
David Brough has written to the Home Office asking for its legal status to be reviewed, as it is growing more and more popular and has been linked to acts of violence.
Khat, which can also be spelt as Qat, is a green-leafed shrub that has been chewed for centuries by people who live in the Horn of Africa and Arabian peninsula.
It has recently turned up in Europe, including the UK, particularly among emigrants and refugees from countries such as an Somalia, Ethiopia and the Yemen.
There is mounting evidence there are effects of dependency, particularly with regard to increased anger, insomnia, paranoia and domestic violence.
In his letter to the Home Office, Mr Brough said: "We are also worried about the associated drugs culture that young males are getting drawn into as a result of khat houses.
"We have a number of these in Hayes Town and in addition to the direct effects on those involved they also produce inter-community tensions because of the prevalence of large numbers of people congregating in residential areas and committing acts of anti-social behaviour."
The matter has been brought up with the Police, but they are powerless to act unless a change is made to the drug's legal status and Mr Brough believes now is the time for an urgent review.
The drug is banned across America, Canada, and most of Europe, but is still legal in Britain.
It is not just African communities who use the drug, many drug users from all social backgrounds are experimenting with it because of its legal status.
For many immigrants it is a way of life, as it is a drug they have always grown up with, but it is the dependency and links to social problems which is the concern.
In a reply from the Home Office to Mr Brough, Richard Mullins said: "The Government recognises that there continues to be growing concern in communities affected by khat use, in particular the social problems associated with its use, including unemployment, family breakdown and financial hardship.
"The Government is committed to having a response that is current and appropriate."
The Government are currently undertaking a research project into use of the drug and aim to report its findings by the end of the year, when ministers will review its position on whether to make the drug illegal.
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In a reply from the Home Office to Mr Brough, Richard Mullins said: "The Government recognizes that there continues to be growing concern in communities affected by khat use, in particular the social problems associated with its use, including unemployment, family breakdown and financial hardship.
"The Government is committed to having a response that is current and appropriate."
in other words,nothing will be done as it will no doubt be labeled racist and an attack on the culture of the users.
We have been asking the laober goverment to do some thing this evil drug wich is destoroying familys.
the respond from the home office ,we are awae the growung concerns of khat,how ever it is not exbanding to wider society .to me that is clear rasisim againest somali community.
Racism? I think re educating the somali community would be a start.
"For many immigrants it is a way of life, as it is a drug they have always grown up with, but it is the dependency and links to social problems which is the concern."
Or did you not read the above quote?
John it is very easy for you to ignore after all it is not your close community .i see somali women safaring in slence ,i see our young somali students who is using this evil drug.breke down familys.
if this drug was evacting other main streem community it will have been banned long time a go.
This East African stimulant leaf (QAT) needs to be classified as drugs. Not because of its side effects on society alone, but due to its chemistry.
QAT is related chemically to amphetamines such as Speed and LSD, which are illegal and categorized as drugs.
If we base our arguments on social problems, then alcohol should be banned, since more 530 people died in last year and 2600 were seriously injured in the UK. Yet its not only legal, but even cheaper than Coca Cola.
As a Somali citizen of Hillingdon, I work full time and volunteer some of my spare time to improve and add value to Hiilingdon, I am truly disgusted by the behavior of a small number drugs(QAT) addict, racists, street drinkers, thieves &c who hamper our development.
However all these problems, need to be addressed without bringing in the politics of ethnicity. With somali its QAT with British its ALCOHOL.
I believe a swine-flue approach seems appropriate to our problems. Because it does not matter that Swine Flue was first detected in Mexico City, what matters is how do we develop a vaccine that is efficient and effective.
@ Abukar: you are naive regarding the facts surrounding drug/substance abuse within communities.
Every class within British society has it's problems, and none of these problems are ignored.
There are numerous bodies of people, who are working 24/7, trying to address them.
Ultimately, it is up to the dealers and users to cease in this activity, whether it is alcohol or drug abuse.
This is not a problem that is exclusive to the Somali community, far from it, it is not just nationwide either, but the world over!
You claim, "It is not your close community"...open your eyes Abukar, drug and substance abuse is in everyones community!
Everyone is affected by it, not just the Somali community.