C.A.T.
Khat

For centuries, khat, the fresh young leaves of the Catha edulis shrub, has been consumed where the plant is cultivated, primarily East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. There, chewing khat predates the use of coffee and is used in a similar social context. Chewed in moderation, khat alleviates fatigue and reduces appetite. Compulsive use may result in manic behavior with grandiose delusions or in a paranoid type of illness, sometimes accompanied by hallucinations. Khat has been smuggled into the United States and other countries from the source countries for use by emigrants. It contains a number of chemicals, among which are two controlled substances, cathinone (Schedule I) and cathine (Schedule IV). As the leaves mature or dry, cathinone is converted to cathine, which significantly reduces its stimulatory properties.


Methcathinone

Methcathinone, known on the streets as "Cat," is a structural analogue of methamphetamine and cathinone. Clandestinely manufactured, methcathinone is almost exclusively sold in the stable and highly water soluble hydrochloride salt form. It is most commonly snorted, although it can be taken orally by mixing it with a beverage or diluted in water and injected intravenously. Methcathinone has an abuse potential equivalent to methamphetamine and produces amphetamine-like effects. It was placed in Schedule I of the CSA in 1993.


CAT (UPPER) causes pupils to dilate.

EFFECTS

    STREET NAMES
      What is Khat?

      A stimulant. For centuries, Khat, the fresh young leaves of the Catha edulis shrub, have been consumed where the plant is cultivated, primarily in East Africa and the Arabian peninsula. There, chewing khat predates the use of coffee and is used in a similar social context, Khat has been brought into the United States and other countries for use by emigrants from, the source countries. It contains a number of chemicals among which are two controlled substances, cathinone and cathine. As the leaves mature or dry, cathinone is converted to cathine, which significantly reduces its stimulatory properties.


      Methcathinone, commonly calted cat, is occasionally confused with Khat. Methcathinone is a synthetic Schedule 1 substance that has a similar chemical structure to the cathinone in the khat plant. Methcathinone is produced in clandestine laboratories and sold as a methamphetamine alternative. The addictive properties and side effects of this synthetic are more intense than either of the naturally occurring khat substances.

      How is it used?

      Khat is typically chewed like tobacco. The fresh leaves, twigs, and shoots of the khat shrub are chewed, and then retained in the cheek and chewed intermittently to release the active drug. Dried plant material can be made into tea or a chewable past, but dried khat is not as potent as the fresh plant product. Khat can also be smoked and even sprinkled on food.

      What are its short-term effects?

      Compulsive use may result in manic behavior with grandiose delusions or in a paranoid type of illness, sometimes accompanied by hallucinations.

      BBC Report on the use of Khat
      States In International Drag Trafficking

      Although khat is illegal in the United States, it is legal throughout much of Europe, East Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula, Individuals of East African, and Middle Eastern descent are most often responsible for the importation, distribution, possession, and use of khat in South Africa.


      Background

      Khat is a naturally occurring stimulant derived from the Catha edulis shrub. This shrub is primarily cultivated in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The use of khat is an established cultural tradition for many social situations in those regions. Khat is also known as Abyss salad, oat, kat, chat, and eatha. Khat has two active ingredients, cathinone and cathine.

        Metheathinone

        Methcathinone, commonly called cat, is occasionally confused with khat. Methcathinone is a synthetic substance that has a similar chemical structure to the cathinone in the khat plant. Methcathinone is produced in clandestine laboratories and sold as a methamphetamine alternative. Ephedrine and/or pseudoephedrine are the main precursor chemicals used in methcathinone synthesis, The addictive properties and side effects of the synthetic are more intense than either of the naturally occurring khat substances.

        Recent History

        Several million people may currently be using khat worldwide; the largest concentrations of users are in the regions surrounding the Middle East. U.S. Customs Service (USCS) seizures of khat have risen from around 800 kilograms annually in 1992 to over 37.2 tons in 2001. The price of khat ranged from US$30 to US$60 per kilogram in 1992. Although current kilograms are not available, the price of khat ranged from US$15 to US$50 per bundle in 1998. [Note: There is trouble in converting bundles to kilograms, because the weights of the bundles vary—some bundles can weigha kilogram; while others can weigh much more. In addition, a bundle of khat can contain between 20 and 40 stem weight and number of stems accounts for the wide range of prices per bundle. Seizures of khat, howe-ever measured and are measured in kilograms.

        Cultivation

        Khat is an important part of the economy of many producer countries, particularly Somalia and Yemenis from Yemen state that more than US$2 billion are spent annually by Yemenis to purchase khat, which on land that is unsuitable for other crops. [Note: Although khat is cultivated on land that is currently used for other crops, the cultivation of khat precludes the land's development for other purposes.]
        Khat is grown in export quantities in countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia; it is Ethiopia's fourth largest export according to U.S. embassy reporting, and the recreational use of khat is widely accepted there. Over 3 times Yemen's gross national product is associated with the cultivation, consumption, and exportation of khat as by Health Organization reports that the cultivation and use of khat has profound socioeconomic consequences to countries and individuals. The cultivation of khat requires scarce land and water resources that could be allocated to other uses. Khat use is costly and potentially addictive. Widespread frequent use of khat impacts productivity and tends to reduce worker motivation.
        Because the potency of the cathinone in the khat is reduced as the plant material dries, shipment by air are the most common method of transport.

        Trafficking

        Khat is usually shipped already packaged into bundles, and wrapped in plastic bags or banana leaves to preserve and provide freshness. Khat is generally smuggled in passenger luggage, overnight express mail (USPS, UPS, shipped as air cargo and falsely labeled as "vegetables." According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration it is sometimes falsely labeled and shipped to the United States as molokheya, an Egyptian vegetable.
        Most khat seized in the United States has been seized from immigrants of Somalia, Ethiopia, Yemen, countries where khat use is common. The USCS makes most of its khat seizures at the JFK Intemational airport at New York from arriving passengers, overnight express mail, and air cargo. Of the over 27 metric tons USCS in FY 1998, almost 18 metric tons were seized, from flights arriving from Great Britain. Most of the persecuted trafficking in the United States are prosecuted at the state level rather than in the federal court system.

        Use/Abuse of Khat

        Khat has been used since antiquity as a recreational and religious drug by natives of Eastern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Middle East. Khat is legal in many countries, including Great Britain where khat can be legally imported, distributed, used, and/or exported. Khat has long been an acceptable substitute for alcohol among Muslims. During the period of Ramadan, the use of khat is popular to alleviate fatigue and reduce hunger. Although khat can be abused, it is often used in a social context similar to the manner in which coffee is consumed in other parts of the world. Reports from Yemen indicate that khat is consumed by 3 out of every 4 Yemenis, and accounts for more than 40 percent of the average family budget.
        Used in moderation, Khat can neb to reduce fatigue and suppress appetite. As with most drugs, intensive use car lead to psychological and health problems.



        Side affects

        So just what effect deos Khat have or our bodies? Presenter Paul Ross, under the close supervision of teaching health expert, Dr. lain Murray-Lyon, tried Khat himself. He grimaced as he chewed the leaves describing it as "astringent". After about an hour Ross spoke of the effects, "I feel trembly and a bit hyper like I've had too much coffee and a bit hot. Take it from me, Khat tastes disgusting. My blood pressure has hot up and my head aches.,” moans Paul. The effects are weaker than cocaine or methamphetamine. But Khat can still trigger paranoia and hallucinations, and may even lead to mouth cancer and heart disease.