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Regulating Khat - Dilemmas and Opportunities for the international drug control system

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)

University of Kent Author Information

Klein, Axel.

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