The government has announced plans to make Khat illegal later this year.
Khat is a plant, which when chewed, releases a mild stimulant; it grows in countries such as Somalia, Yemen and Ethiopia. It is imported into the UK and is sold in many local shops, particularly on Spital Hill.
On 3rd July the Home Secretary Theresa May, announced the plans in Parliament, stating the key reason for a ban was the illegality of Khat in other European countries, she said
“The government will ban khat so that we can protect vulnerable members of our communities and send a clear message to our international partners and khat smugglers that the UK is serious about stopping the illegal trafficking of khat.”
The Home Secretary has ignored the advice of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) who recommended against the ban stating:
“In summary the ACMD considers that the harms of khat does not reach the level required for classification. Therefore, the ACMD recommend that the status of khat is not changed.”
ACMD recommends that education and prevention initiatives are the best way to prevent harmful misuse of Khat. It also states there is no evidence the UK is a hub for trafficking Khat to countries where it is banned.
The Messenger has previously reported on the divided opinion locally on Khat use. A ban will certainly have an impact on local residents. We would like to hear your views,
Contact the Messenger on: 242 0564,
A copy of the ACMD report can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/khat-report-2013