YEMEN GROUP OPPOSES NARCOTIC LEAF

SAN'A, Yemen - An association was formed Wednesday in Yemen to support
government efforts to cut down on the use of the popular stimulant khat, an
official said.

The Friends Without Khat Association was officially formed in the southern
province of Ibb, about 90 miles south of the capital San'a, the official
said on condition of anonymity.

He said the association was formed following Yemeni President Ali Abdullah
Saleh's call last month to cut down on chewing the stimulant and turn to
sports and other beneficial activities instead.

Last month, Saleh said he was reducing his daily habit of chewing khat to
only the weekend.

The majority of Yemenis spend up to eight hours a day chewing khat, which
doctors say can lead to unpredictable behavior and cause diseases and
psychological disorders over time.

According to government figures, khat consumes 75% of Yemen's irrigation
capabilities and more than 80% of the country's agricultural lands are
reserved for planting khat.