DEA/OD/ODE
Introduction:
Khat, Catha edulis, is a
flowering shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian-Peninsula. Khat
refers to the leaves and young shoot of Catha edulis. It has been
widely used since the thirteenth century as a recreational drug by the
indigenous people of East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and throughout
the Middle East.
Licit Uses:
There is no legitimate medical use
for khat in the United States.
Chemistry and Pharmacology:
Khat contains two central nervous
system (CNS) stimulants, namely cathinone and cathine. Cathinone (alpha-aminopriopiophenone),
which is the principal active stimulant, is structurally similar to
d-amphetamine and almost as potent as a CNS stimulant. Cathine, also
called d-norpseudoephedrine, is about 10 times less potent than
cathinone as a CNS stimulant. Cathinone levels are highest in the
freshly cut khat plant. Once cut, levels of cathinone start declining.
Cooling the plant material will reduce the rate of decline in cathinone
levels such that detectable levels may be found at least out to 10 days
post cutting. Over the last few years, exhibits of dried, or dehydrated,
khat have been encountered. In these samples, cathinone may be detected
for many months or even years. Cathine remains stable in khat after the
plant has been cut.
Khat produces amphetamine-like
effects. They include: euphoria, a feeling of increased alertness and
energy, hyperactivity, anorexia, and lack of fatigue. The users also
feel relaxed and talkative. Sympathomimetic effects may include elevated
blood pressure, dilated pupils, hyperthermia, arrhythmias, and increased
respiration. The effects of khat usually last between 90 minutes and 3
hours. After-effects of khat use have been reported as lack of
concentration, numbness and insomnia.
Khat abuse leads to psychological
dependence. Chronic abuse of khat can lead to behavioral changes and
impairment of mental health. Clinical manifestations include manic
behavior with grandiose delusions, violence, suicidal depression, or
schizophreniform psychosis characterized by paranoid delusions. Chronic
abuse can also produce physical exhaustion, anorexia, periodontal
disease and disturbances of the gastrointestinal system. Withdrawal
symptoms have not been associated with discontinuation of khat.
Illicit Uses:
Khat is abused for its stimulant
and euphoric effects. Most often the fresh leaves and shoots of the khat
shrub are chewed, and then retained in the cheek and chewed
intermittently until all the juices are extracted. To counter the bitter
taste of the plant, copious amounts of water or sweet soda are drank.
Dried khat can be made into tea or a chewable paste. Rarely other modes
of self-administration include smoking or sprinkling on food.
User Population:
Abuse of khat in the United States
is most prevalent among immigrants from Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen.
Abuse of khat is highest in cities with a substantial population of
these immigrants. These cities include Boston (MA), Columbus (OH),
Dallas (TX), Detroit (MI), Kansas City (MO), Los Angeles, (CA)
Minneapolis (MN), Nashville (TN), New York (NY), and Washington D.C.
Illicit Distribution:
Individuals of Somali, Ethiopian,
and Yemeni descent are the primary transporters and distributors of khat
in the United States. The khat is transported from Somali into the
United States and distributed in the Midwest, West and Southeast
(Nashville, Tennessee) regions of the United States. According to the
National Drug Intelligence Center, Somali and Yemen independent dealers
are distributing khat in Arbor Ann, Detroit, Lansing and Ypsilanti,
Michigan; Columbus, Ohio; Kansas City, Missouri; and Minneapolis/St.
Paul, Minnesota. Due to a limited shelf life, the khat needs to be
transported quickly to the intended market. Thus shipment by air is the
most common method of transport. The khat is often transported through
the United Kingdom and Canada primarily via package delivery services
and to a lesser extent by couriers aboard commercial aircraft. Khat is
typically shipped package into bundles that are wrapped in plastic bags
or banana leaves to retain moisture and freshness.
The availability of khat in the
United States has been increasing since 1995. According to Federal-wide
Drug Seizure System (FDSS), law enforcement seizures of khat increased
from 14 metric tons in 1995 to over 37 metric tons in 2001. During the
first 6 months of 2002, nearly 30 metric tons of khat was seized. El
Paso Intelligence Center reported that law enforcement seized 32, 39,
37, 54, 47, and 32 metric tons of khat in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
and through September 2005, respectively.
In 2004, Kansas City Police
Department (KCPD) reported the emergence of a new form of khat within
the Somali community. Graba, a dried form of khat that is similar in
appearance to marijuana, has been seized by KCPD. Graba is produced in
Ethiopia and is commonly dried before it is transported into the United
States. In two separate incidents in January 2004, KCPD officers seized
13.2 pounds of graba from an Ethiopian national and 38 grams from a
Somali national.
Khat generally sells for $300 to
$400 per kilogram or $28 to $50 per bundle (40 leafed twigs measuring 12
to 15 inches in length).
Control Status:
Cathinone and cathnine are in
Schedules I and IV of the Controlled Substances Act, respectively. Khat
samples found upon chemical analysis to contain any levels of cathinone
will be treated as a Schedule I plant material. Khat samples in which
only cathine is detectable upon chemical analysis are treated as a
Schedule IV plant material.
Comments and additional information are welcomed by
the Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section, FAX 202-353-1263 or
telephone