Klein, Axel, Beckerleg, Susan, Hailu, Degol (2009) Regulating Khat - Dilemmas and Opportunities for the international drug control system. International Journal of Drug Policy, 20 (6). pp. 509-513. (doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2009.05.002) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:24744)
The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided. | |
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2009.05.002 |
Abstract
The regulation of khat, one of the most recent psychoactive drugs to become a globally traded commodity, remains hotly contested within different producer and consumer countries. As regimes vary, it has been possible to compare khat policies in Africa, Europe and North America from different disciplinary perspectives.
Methods
Field research was conducted in East Africa and Europe, using a combination of semistructured interviews, participant observation and the analysis of trade statistics.
Results
The research established the significance of khat for rural producers, regional economies, as a tax base and source of foreign exchange. At the same time, khat as a psychoactive substance is associated with health and public safety problems that in turn are met with often ill-informed legislative responses. Bans have in turn lead to the criminalisation of users and sellers and illegal drug markets.
Conclusion
The empirical work from Africa provides a strong argument for promoting evidence-based approaches to khat regulation, harnessing the positive aspects of the khat economy to develop a control model that incorporates the voices and respects the needs of rural producers. Ultimately, the framework for khat may provide both a model and an opportunity for revising the international treaties governing the control of other plant psychoactive-based substances.
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
DOI/Identification number: | 10.1016/j.drugpo.2009.05.002 |
Additional information: | Special Issue: Drug Policy Analysis |
Uncontrolled keywords: | Khat international, drug control development |
Subjects: |
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare > HV5800 Drug habits and abuse J Political Science > JX International law |
Divisions: | Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies |
Depositing User: | Tony Rees |
Date Deposited: | 24 Aug 2010 08:32 UTC |
Last Modified: | 16 Nov 2021 10:03 UTC |
Resource URI: | https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/24744 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes) |
- Export to:
- RefWorks
- EPrints3 XML
- BibTeX
- CSV
- Depositors only (login required):