Whenever the drugs debate rears its head, I am reminded of the somewhat unique status of qat (khat, ghat), which has recently been profiled once again in the media (The Independent on Sunday, 2 March). Qat is the drug of choice in the Somali community, although it is not exclusive to it. A bag can be bought for as little as 3, and it has an effect similar to that of amphetamine.
It is not illegal.
When The National Youth Association's youth information ethics committee was debating drugs information, I recall drawing attention to the fact that qat was not a controlled drug, which surprised and horrified some of the other members, none of whom had ever heard of it.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
