Brussels, 10/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 10 January, the Netherlands announced its intention to ban khat, a drug from the Catha edulis shrub used for its stimulant and exhilarating effects similar to those caused by amphetamines but, as AFP reports, which also has harmful side effects. Essentially consumed by migrants from Africa, khat is mainly used in the Netherlands' Somali community, the Immigration, Health and Justice departments point out.
In a joint press release, the ministries state that, “if taken in moderation, there are no major problems, but an investigation showed it to be problematic among some 10 percent of khat users” leading to health and social issues. Distribution of the leaf also has anti-social effects that have to be faced by the community, the statement points out, adding that khat should soon be on the list of soft drugs banned in the Netherlands.
Last July, the European EMCDDA (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction) had also warned about the consumption of this drug which seems to be on the rise, as it had written at the time. The EMCDDA had also deplored the confused responses from member states on the matter, as some put the plant on their list of illegal drugs (15 member states) while others make khat subject to no controls whatsoever. The EMCDDA had added that the two main points for khat entry into Europe were the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, where it is imported, marketed and consumed legally as a plant product. (SP/transl.jl)