Hassan Isse Khat Training Khat Workshop
Jan 28, 2016
Hassan Isse
Khat Training
Khat Workshop
Aim
To give participants an understanding of khat, its effects, risks and harm associated.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course participants will have: 1. Have considered the difference between
other substance use and Khat 2. Have gained an updated knowledge of khat,
its effects and risks 3. Have considered why people use khat 4. Understand treatment options.
Khat
Khat
What is it?Khat is a green leafy plant cultivated throughout Eastern Africa and Yemen. Khat is a natural stimulant from Catha edulis and it has effect like speed and amphetamines.Street names Commonly known as qat, Jaad, chad, Khat and Miraa. There are more than 70 varities of khat in the world such as Miraa from Kenya Hawadaaye from Somalia Kaad methani sabir from Yemen Harari from Ethiopia
How takenIt can be chewed or drunk. A khat chewing session fulfils an important social function similar to the use of caffeine and alcohol in Europe. A khat chewing session may last 3-5 hours.Extent of useUsed by specific Arabic and north, central and eastern Africans. Commonly associated with Somali men. Has a similar function to coffee with a meal, but some say its use in the UK is escalating - causing harm to certain communities.
Khat & its Types
Khat Project resources 2004
How to chew khat
Khat Project resources 2004
Chewing sessions
Khat Project resources 2004
Khat session
Khat Project resources 2004
How It Grows
Khat grows in Ethiopia, Kenya and Yemen. It grows in highlands between 3000-8000 feet as natural.
Size is a 10 to 20-foot flowering evergreen. There are two type of khat “white and red” size is 5-
10cm long and 1-4cm wide.
Khat Project resources 2004
Ethiopian Hills Where Khat is cultivate
Khat Project resources 2004
Khat and Law Khat is not illegal to use or trade in the UK It is controlled by law in countries such as an
America, Canada, Norway and Sweden. In 1980 the WHO classified Khat as drug of abuse
that can produce mild to moderate psychic dependence due to Cathinone.
In the USA listed as schedule 1 drug, which is controlled substance.
In UK although Cathenione and cathine controlled by the Misuse of Drug Act 1971 (class C) khat itself is not. An offence is committed only if the active constituents are isolated from the plant. However there will be some legislations soon .
Chemical Constituents
Khat leaves contain psychoactive known as Cathinone which is structurally and chemically similar to Amphetamine and Cathine a milder form of Cathinone.
Other components include: Cathidine, Celastrin, Tannin and many amino acids, minerals and vitamins mainly Vitamin C.
Khat Project resources 2004
What gives khat its stimulant effect on the Central Nervous System?
Presence in fresh, young leaves of cathinone; older leaves contain cathine (norpseudoephedrine)
Similar in chemistry to amphetamines
CH3
HONH2
Cathine
CH3
NH2
O
CH3
NH2
(-)-Cathinone (+)-Amphetamine
CH3
NHCH3
OO OCH3
'Ecstasy'
Effects
After chewing khat people mild euphoria and 'talkativeness', users often report calming effects.
Inflammation of the mouth and other parts of the oral cavity is common with users.
Long time khat use can causes Psychological dependence.
Excessive khat use can bring on depression, anxiety and irritation, sometimes leading to psychosis (severe mental disorder in which the individual's contact with reality becomes highly distorted (delusions).
It might lead to heart disease and loss of sex drive in men.
Oral cancer can develop.
Khat Project resources 2004
Pharmacological effect
Mydriasis (dilation of pupil of the eye) Tachycardia (increased heart bating) Elevated blood pressure Headaches Hyperthermia (warm) Increased respiration Urinary retention Increased urine output (due to fluid intake)
Khat Project resources 2004
Medical Aspects of chewing
Periodontal Disease Stomatitis and oral cancer Gastritis and gastric ulcer Cirrhosis of liver
(Hepatotoxic effect) Chemical hepatitis A. B
and C. (chemical treatments)
Constipation Anorexia (loss of Appetite
and weight), leading to malnutrition
Khat Project resources 2004
Heart and cardio-vascular effects
Hypertension/increased blood pressure
Migraine
Brain haemorrhage
Increased heart rate/palpitation
Other heart problems
Khat Project resources 2004
Mental Health problems causes by khat use
Insomnia (loss of sleep) Anxiety and nightmares Aggressive behaviour and
irritation Paranoia Depression and Psychosis Sex problems such as
impotence
Khat Project resources 2004
Risk factors associated with khat use
Decreases life span due to chronic illnesses Susceptibility to infectious diseases such as
TB, Increasing HIV/AIDS and STD (sex trade) Smoking increases risk of lung cancer Poor hygiene increases risk of infections Chemical poisoning due to use of pesticides Social and economic uncertainty
Khat Project resources 2004
Khat Overdose
Agitation, paranoia, and repetitive behaviours
Rapid heart beat and breathing High body temperature Convulsions Emergency treatment includes basic
support, keep person cool, and calling the emergency
Khat Project resources 2004
Positive side of khat use
Almost a hobby type of interest Subdued feeling, leading to lowered risks of violence
and less aggression Allows longer working hours, e.g. long distance lorry
drivers, students whilst ‘cramming’ for exams Sociable drug for those using Many people belief that it helps people with diabetics Many others belief that khat use helps with weight
loss Used as cash crop to generate income to support
themselves and their families.
Khat Project resources 2004
Treatments options one
Assessments Referral to appropriate treatment
Support for young people their families. One to one and group work Harm minimisation and reduction (use
dairy) After care support such as education,
employment, training and football activities
Complementary therapeutics' such as Acupuncture, Yoga and general health check
Monitoring progress and life style support
Khat Project resources 2004
Treatments option 2
Sessionss Cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) Coping skills training Relapse prevention therapy programme Motivational interventions one to one support 6
weeks Contingency management on going keyworking
with regular sessions as well as appointments and progress monitoring
Community reinforcement approaches such as volunteering and family approaches, cultural and customs acceptable approach
Khat Project resources 2004
More information and support
Hassan Isse
Khat and Community Consultant
Tel: 02085694822 Fax 02085694759
E-mail: [email protected]
Sceptre House 75-81 Staines Road Hounslow
TW3 3HW
Information Sources
World Health Organisation research studies
UN Office on Drugs and crimes studies UK & National Governments
studies/report Research papers (Hassan Isse) Khat users case studies