Here is a BBC story from Slough (yes, I had to look it up here , btw 13% of the population is Muslim) about how the favorite drug of some Africans and Middle Easterners, including Somalis in the UK is khat. Somali families are worried about its effect on young people.
A drug which is sold legally in Britain is causing problems for Somali families in Slough, according to a voluntary group in Berkshire.
Khat is a plant which can be chewed and is used as a stimulant by people living in Yemen and Somalia.
The Slough Somali Women’s Organisation says the drug is to blame a range of problems such as truancy and anti-social behaviour in young people.
The drug is banned across America and most of Europe but legal in Britain.
Causing family breakdown
Faisal Aashour is part of the Somali community in Slough and works for Berkshire Education and Sports Centre – a voluntary organisation set up by Somalis.
He said that Khat use was causing a “family breakdowns” in Slough.
“Young people overdo it,” he said.
“It’s a highly addictive drug used in Somalia and Yemen. Its stimulant properties are similar to but less powerful than amphetamine.
“There’s a lot of Somalis who chew it in Slough.”
There is more, read on.
Khat is illegal in the US, but nevertheless khat is used here and is becoming an increasing problem. Here are several posts we have written about the drug’s use in the US.