Khat–Tradition and Addiction in the Horn of Africa

Khat is a green leaved plant and stands the most important cash crop cultivated in the highlands of the horn of Africa and Gulf state. It belongs to plant family celastraceae and 44 different types of khat exist in the Arabian Peninsula. It has considerable social value as it is chewed by 44 million people worldwide. Khat the cash crop is considered holy and used to welcome and entertain guests, also controls soil erosion. Besides being positive it also constitutes much risky to the individuals. The medical and psychosocial effects of khat chewing depend on its capacity to lead to dependency (addiction) and to specific physical and behavioral effects. A link has also been shown to exist between khat use and increased exposure to HIV/AIDS. So the government should take necessary action to educate the public regarding the ill effects of the substance usage.