Khat: Drug ban going smoothly

The ban of khat has gone smoothly, say police

By Ciaran Fagan
August 16, 2014

A ban on an addictive plant which is popular with some Somalis has gone smoothly, according to police.

Khat, a leaf which is chewed, became a class C drug in June.

People who campaigned for the ban said it was addictive and could cause health problems.

A Leicester police officer whose patch includes St Matthew's, which has a large Somali population, said the ban had gone smoothly.

Inspector Ben Gillard, commander of Spinney Hill Park police station, had compared the Government's decision to ban the substance to outlawing smoking overnight.

But he said: "Everything we are seeing on the ground suggests the ban on khat has been well received.

"We have not had to do much in terms of enforcement. The community is upholding the law itself.

"I've not yet seen any evidence of us having to do stop searches on suspicion that someone is in possession of khat.

"Some areas had experienced anti-social behaviour as a result of people using khat, hanging around on street corners and, possibly, being intimidating. We are not receiving those reports on such a scale any more.

"We did a lot of work with the community in the run-up to the ban and that will continue.

"Clearly, there are people who have health issues and there are still people out there using khat.

"They are dependent on it and we are helping them to find appropriate support."

Members of the city's Somali community have described the arrival of the ban as a "day of celebration".

Jawaahir Dahir, of Somali Development Services, has said: "We have campaigned against khat for many years and I have spoken to the Government about its social impact.

"We welcome the change in the law, but we can see it is going to be difficult for some people to stop using khat because it is addictive."

Police said they were adopting a "graded" enforcement policy to the class C drug.

Those caught in possession will be warned. If caught a second time they will be fined £60, while a third offence will result in prosecution and potentially a prison term.

Users could be jailed for up to two years if convicted of possession.

Those who sell khat could face up to 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine.

Dr Andrew Ball, of Leicester Recovery Partnership, which treats people with a range of addictions, said: "Individuals who regularly take khat can experience mental health problems and liver complications.

"Individuals attempting to reduce and stop khat use can experience withdrawal effects such as depression, sleeplessness and nightmares."

The partnership will be running sessions in GP surgeries and community centres to help people overcome addiction.

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